1. [JACK sb.1 6.] A jack of the clock that strikes the quarters.
1604. Middleton, Father Hubbards T., Wks. (Bullen), VIII. 54. The quarter-jacks in Pauls, that are up with their elbows four times an hour.
1771. [see JACK sb.1 6].
1874. T. Hardy, Far fr. Mad. Crowd, I. xvi. 190. A little canopy with a quarter-jack and small bell beneath it.
2. [JACK sb.7] A jack-boot cut down.
1809. Sir Frantic the Reformer, 75.
He being transported, his first born | |
Long with these boots did s shanks adorn, | |
Until the tops being full of cracks, | |
He made them into quarter-jacks. |