Quarter sb.

Also 4 quartare, qwatteer, 4–6 quartre, 5 quartere, -yer, wharter, qwarter, 5–6 quartar, 6 qwartter, (7 coter). [a. OF. quarter, -ier (12th c. in Littré): L. quartār-ius a fourth part (of a measure), f. quartus fourth: see QUART sb.² and -ER² 2.]

  I.  One of four equal or corresponding parts into which anything is or may be divided.

  1.  Of things generally.

13[?].  Guy Warw. (A.), 1497. Gwichard smot Gij … Opon þe helme … Þat a quarter out fleye.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xl. (Ninian), 737. Nere þe quartare of a myl.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 3184. Non herte may thenke … A quarter of my wo and peyne.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, IX. 979. Than off the day thre quartaris was went.

1564.  Child-Marriages, 124. About a quarter of a yere ago.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 215. Diuide your happy England into foure, Whereof, take you one quarter into France.

1650.  B., Discolliminium, 49. And now I am 3 quarters Presbyterian, I keep one quarter still Independent.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 349. The four quarters of the rolling year.

1796.  Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, 79. Garnish with a Seville orange cut in quarters.

1841.  Q. Rev., LXVII. 358. Some quarter of a century ago.

1880.  Geikie, Phys. Geog., i. 29. Exactly a quarter of a circle, or 90°.

  b.  Phr. A bad (etc.) quarter of an hour [trans. F. un mauvais quart d’heure], a short but very unpleasant period of time.

[1717.  trans. Frezier’s Voy., 110. Rablais’s Quarter of an Hour, that is, when the Reckoning is to be paid.]

1887.  J. Ball, Nat. in S. Amer., 338. When I reached the station … I had an unpleasant quarter of an hour.

1897.  W. E. Norris, Marietta’s Marriage, xxxi. 225. I hope he will have a rather nasty quarter of an hour.

  c.  Qualifying an adv. or advb. phrase (cf. HALF adv. 1 d); † formerly also without a.

1522.  Sir T. Cheyne, in State Papers (1849), VI. 88. He had rather ryde into England … then to ryde a quarter so farre to eny other Prince living.

1545.  Ascham, Toxoph., II. (Arb.), 157. Sumtyme ful side wynde, sumtyme quarter with hym and more.

1818.  Busby, Gramm. Mus., 69. A quaver is only one quarter as long as a Minim.

  d.  Const. with sbs. without of (cf. HALF a. 1 b).

1867.  Mrs. Oliphant, Madonna Mary, I. xiv. 247. When she was your age she had not half nor a quarter the pleasures you have.

1897.  Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 663. There is not one-quarter the amount of drunkenness.

  e.  ellipt. in various contextual uses, as (a) † a quarter-barge; (b) a ‘quarter-note’ or crotchet in Music (U.S.); (c) a quarter-mile race.

1508.  Waterf. Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 325. Noo boote shal bring woode butt only half barges and quarters…. And every quarter to have iiii. men.

1899.  Whitaker’s Alm., 637/1. Harrison also won the ‘Quarter’ by a foot.

  2.  One of the four parts, each including a leg, into which the carcases of quadrupeds are commonly divided; also of fowls, a part containing a leg or wing. Fifth quarter: the hide and fat of a slaughtered animal (Funk’s Stand. Dict., 1893). See also FORE 3, HIND a.

c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 453. Bestes þai brac and bare, In quarters þai hem wrouȝt.

c. 1420.  Liber Cocorum (1862), 8. Hew hom [chickens] in quarteres and lay hom inne.

c. 1430.  Two Cookery-bks., I. 6. Take fayre beef of þe rybbys of þe fore quarterys.

1563–7.  Buchanan, Reform. St. Andros, Wks. (1892), 6. Ane quartar of mouton.

1660.  Pepys, Diary, 17 July. They bought a Quarter of Lamb.

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 21, ¶ 13. A Butcher’s Daughter … sometimes brings a Quarter of Mutton.

1776.  Adam Smith, W. N., I. xi. I. (1869), I. 160. The four quarters of an ox weighing six hundred pounds.

1853.  Soyer, Pantroph., 147. Place a quarter of lamb in a saucepan.

  b.  pl. The four parts, each containing a limb, of a human body similarly divided, as was commonly done in the case of those executed for treason.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10875. A four half engelond is quarters isend were.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 244. His hede þei of smyten … Þe quarters wer sent to henge at four citez.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1971. Brittonet [shuld be] þi body into bare qwarters.

1660.  Pepys, Diary, 15 Oct. This morning Mr. Carew was hanged and quartered … but his quarters … are not to be hanged up.

1773.  Brydone, Sicily, xxi. (1809), 217. The quarters of a number of robbers were hung up upon hooks.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xii. III. 207. Their heads and quarters were still rotting on poles.

  c.  Of a live person or animal, esp. of a horse; also freq. = hind-quarter, haunch.

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 3389. Abowte scho whirles the whele … Tille alle my qwarters … ware qwaste.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. iii. 16. Is not enough fowre quarters of a man, Withouten sword or shield, an hoste to quayle?

1665.  Brathwait, Comm. Chaucer (1901), 84. She had unnimbly rushed down upon her four Quarters, and … done her Reverence.

1678.  Butler, Hud., III. i. 1150. They put him to the Cudgel … They stoutly on his Quarters laid.

1806.  A. Duncan, Nelson’s Fun., 35. Two of his … servants walked at each side of the horse’s quarter.

1853.  Lytton, My Novel, I. vi. Down came the staff on the quarters of the donkey.

  3.  Her. One of the four parts into which a shield is divided by quartering (see QUARTER v. 3 b).

  The four quarters are: 1 dexter chief; 2 sinister chief; 3 dexter base; 4 sinister base. When one of these is again divided, and the sub-divisions occupied by several coats, it is termed a ‘grand quarter.’

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, Her., D ij b. In the right side of the shelde in the first quarter she bare tharmys of fraunce.

1610.  Guillim, Heraldry, V. i. 238. Without any charge occupying the quarters of the Escocheon.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., Quarter is also applied to the parts, or members, of the first division of a coat that is quartered, or divided into four quarters.

1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VIII. 443/1. A perpendicular and horizontal line, which, crossing each other at the centre of the field, divide it into four equal parts called quarters.

1864.  Boutell, Her. Hist. & Pop., xv. (ed. 3), 205. The third quarter of his shield. [See also QUARTERLY adv. 2 b.]

1893.  Cussans, Her. (ed. 4), 165. The second quarter of the Royal Arms of England. Ibid., 168. Second and Third grand Quarters, quarterly quartered.

  b.  A charge occupying one fourth of the shield, placed in chief.

1592.  Wyrley, Armorie, Ld. Chandos, 41. In gold Lord Basset dight Three Rubie piles, a quarter ermins bright.

1610.  Guillim, Heraldry, II. vi. 61. The Quarter is an Ordinary of like composition with the Canton,… the quarter comprehendeth the full fourth.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Franc-quarter is a quarter single or alone; which is to possess one-fourth part of the field. This makes one of the honourable ordinaries of a coat.

1838.  Penny Cycl., XII. 141/2. The Quarter is, as its name imports, the fourth part of the shield, and is always placed in chief.

1893.  Cussans, Her. (ed. 4), 66. The Quarter … is formed by two straight lines, drawn in the direction of the Fess and the Pale, and meeting at the Fess-point. Examples of this charge are very rarely to be met with.

  c.  = QUARTERING vbl. sb. 2 b.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v., There are sixteen quarters required to prove nobility, in companies, or orders, where none but nobles are admitted.

1816.  Scott, Antiq., xxiv. A baron of sixteen quarters.

1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 61. A duke’s son that only knew there were two-and-thirty quarters on the family-coach.

  II.  The fourth part of some usual measure or standard.

  4.  As a measure of capacity for grain, etc. a. The British imperial quarter = 8 bushels; the fifth (? originally the fourth) part of a wey or load; also, local variations of this, containing more or less than 8 bushels. † Formerly sometimes const. without of.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 244/130. Ane hondret quarters of þat corn.

c. 1320.  Sir Beues, 1424. A ston gret, Þat weȝ seue quarters of whet.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 174. Þe hungre was so grete … Þat a quarter whete was at twenty mark.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sompn. T., 255. A! yif that covent half a quarter otes.

1494.  Fabyan, Chron., cxxxvi. 122. A quarter of whete was worth .ii. marks and a halfe.

1523.  Fitzherb., Husb., § 12. Foure London busshelles [of beans] fullye, and that is half a quarter.

1623.  Althorp MS., in Simpkinson, Washingtons (1860), App. 48. For 3 coters of rye bought at Harleston.

1663.  Cowley, Ess., Avarice, 129. In thy vast Barns Millions of Quarters store.

1763.  Museum Rust., I. 74. Wheat will one year sell for 5 l. a load (that is, five quarters).

1845.  McCulloch, Taxation, I. i. (1852), 49. A farm which produces 100 quarters of wheat.

1862.  Ansted, Channel Isl., IV. (ed. 2), App. A. 567. The Jersey quarter (thirty-four gallons and three quarts) [contains] a little more than half an imperial quarter. Ibid. The English imperial quarter is equivalent to about two Guernsey quarters.

  b.  In the Channel Islands (cf. quot. 1862 in prec.) used as a unit of value for land.

1682.  Warburton, Hist. Guernsey (1822), 94. He that has occasion to take up money on his estate, sells so many quarters.

1694.  Falle, Jersey, ii. 85. The way of reckoning an Estate with us, is not by Pounds, but by Quarters of Wheat.

1862.  Ansted, Channel Isl., IV. xxiv. (ed. 2), 550. The Guernsey ‘quarter of rent’ is estimated as worth, on an average, twenty pounds currency.

  c.  The fourth part of a chaldron.

1434.  E. E. Wills, 101. I bequethe to Iohn Wodrof … v quarteres of coles.

1706.  Phillips (ed. Kersey), Quarter … In Measure … the fourth part of a Chaldron.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., Quarter is also a dry measure, containing … of coals the fourth part of a chaldron.

1858.  Greenleaf, National Arithm. (U.S.), cited by Worcester.

  † d.  The fourth part of a peck. Obs. rare^–1.

1475.  Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.), 26. The ringis of golde … were … mesurid to the quantite of mesure of .xij. quarters or more.

  † 5.  The fourth part of a cask or barrel. Obs.^–1

1579.  in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford (1880), 400. Martine Colepeper … setteth the pryce of a quarter of the best stronge ale at iij^s iiij^d.

  6.  As a weight. † a. The fourth part of a pound. Obs.

a. 1400.  Stockh. Medical MS., i. 43, in Anglia, XVIII. 296. A quarter of vergyn-wax þou take.

a. 1450.  Fysshynge w. Angle (1883), 9. Take small ale a potell and stamp it with iij handful of walnot levys and a quarter of alom.

c. 1450.  Two Cookery-bks., 106. Take a quarter of clarefied honey, iij vnces of pouder peper.

  b.  The fourth part of a hundredweight = 28 lbs. (U.S. commonly 25 lbs.)

  Ordinarily used only where the hundredweight is also mentioned, and usually abbreviated ‘qr.’

1542.  Recorde, Gr. Artes (1575), 203. The halfe hundred is 56: the quarter 28 [pounde].

1588.  Bk. of Charges, in Dom. St. Papers, CCXV. 88. 4 quille of ropes wayeinge sixe hundred, a quarter, and one pound.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., Quarter, in weights, is a fourth part of the quintal, or hundred weight. The quarter is 28 pounds avoirdupois.

1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XVII. 410. Iron, 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 24 lb.

  † c.  ‘The fourth part of a Dram’ (Phillips, 1706).

  7.  As a measure of length or area. a. The fourth part of a yard: nine inches. Also fig.

1433.  Rolls Parlt., IV. 451/2. Clothe of colour shold conteigne … in brede vi quarters di.

c. 1450.  Bk. Curtasye, 359, in Babees Bk. A stafe, a fyngur gret, two wharters long.

1483.  Act 1 Rich. III., c. 8. Preamble, Some of the same Clothes … ben drawen out … in Brede from .vii. Quarters unto the Brede of .ii. Yerdys.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. iii. 109. Thou yard, three quarters, halfe yard, quarter, naile.

1624.  Capt. Smith, Virginia, II. 25. His arrowes were fiue quarters long.

1708.  J. C., Compl. Collier (1845), 16. The 3 Quarter Coal [is] about 3 Quarters thick or more.

1778.  Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), s.v. Witney, Blankets … from 10 to 12 quarters wide.

  b.  Naut. The fourth part of a fathom.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1784), Mm iv b. If he judges it to be a quarter … more than any particular number, he calls, ‘And a quarter five!’ Ibid. At four fathoms and ³/₄, he calls ‘A quarter less five!’

1855.  Englishwoman in Russia, 1. ‘By the quarter seven’ sang out … the sailor … engaged in heaving the lead.

  c.  An Irish land-measure (trans. Ir. ceathramhadh, sometimes anglicized as carrow): see quots.

1607.  Davies, 1st Lett. to Ld. Salisbury (1787), 245. Every ballibetagh is divided into four quarters of lands, and every quarter into four taths.

1683.  J. Keogh, Acct. Roscommon, in O’Donovan, Hy Fiachraich (1844), 453. These countries were subdivided into townlands … which were called Ballys … and each townland was divided again into quarters. Ibid. I have been sometimes perplexed to know how many acres a quarter contains, but I have learned it is an uncertain measure.

1883.  Seebohm, Eng. Village Comm., vii. 223. Annexed is an example of an ancient bally divided into quarters…. Two of the quarters, now townlands, still bear the names of ‘Cartron’ and ‘Carrow,’ or ‘Quarter.’

1892.  Emily Lawless, Grania, II. 3. Inishmaan possesses but two townlands, containing six quarters each.

  8.  As a measure of time.

  a.  The fourth part of a year, esp. as divided by the recognized QUARTER-DAYS. Also (esp. in Scotland), the fourth part of the school-year, or of the period during which instruction is usually given, containing about eleven weeks. (See also 11.)

1389.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 7. What man is take in to be brother, schal paie … eueri quarter … iij. d.

c. 1440.  Ipomydon, 762. My greyhondes ranne not þis quartere.

1536.  Boorde, Lett., in Introd. Knowl. (1870), 53. To come to yow ons in qwartter.

1591.  Nashe, Prognost., Wks. 1883–4, II. 164. The predominant qualities of this quarter [summer] is heate and drynesse.

a. 1610.  Healey, Theophrastus (1636), 40. A quarters rent of his house.

1623.  Althorp MS., in Simpkinson, Washingtons (1860), App. 41. To the hoggheard for a coter’s wages.

1731.  Swift, On his Death. He must … change his comrades once a quarter.

1819.  Shelley, Peter Bell, VI. iii. Then seriatim, month and quarter, Appeared such mad tirades.

1836.  Penny Cycl., V. 238. For a commercial education, a guinea a quarter is charged.

1865.  Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. iv. The gentleman proposes to take your apartments by the quarter.

  b.  A fourth part of the lunar period. Also, the moon’s position when between the first and second or third and fourth quarters; quadrature.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxxiii. 149. Þe moone may noȝt be sene þare, bot in þe secund quartere.

1632.  Massinger, Maid of Hon., I. i. His sheepshearing … Is in every quarter of the moon, and constant.

1694.  W. Holder, On Time, v. 82. Which shews withall how near she is to her Quarters, Full, or next New-moon.

1728.  Pemberton, Newton’s Philos., 201. But on the other hand in the quarters, the moon, being pressed more towards the earth than by the earth’s single action, will be made to approach it.

1853.  Maurice, Proph. & Kings, xi. 189. We sometimes see the moon in her first quarter with one bright luminous border.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., s.v., When the moon appears exactly as a half-moon, 90° from the sun towards the east, she is in the first quarter.

  fig.  1806.  Lamb, Lett. to Hazlitt, 15 Jan. Wks. 1852, 77/1. Prudentia is in the last quarter of her tutelary shining over me.

  c.  The fourth part of an hour; the space of fifteen minutes. Also, the moment, as denoted by a mark on the dial, the sound of a bell, etc., at which one quarter of an hour (cf. HOUR 3) ends and the next begins; chiefly used of the quarter after or before an hour, as ‘a quarter past nine,’ ‘a quarter to ten.’

[1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, V. ii. 85. An hower in clamour and a quarter in rhewme.]

1617.  Moryson, Itin., I. 31. In the upper part of the clocke are … statuaes, which strike the quarters of the houre.

1659.  J. Mayne, City Match, II. iii. 27. A fellow that turnes upon his toe In a steeple, and strikes quarters.

1727.  Bailey, vol. II., Quarters [in a Clock or Movement] are little Bells which sound the Quarters or other Parts of an Hour.

1822.  Byron, Vis. Judgm., lxxxvii. I’ve scarcely been ten minutes … At least a quarter it can hardly be.

1842.  Tennyson, St. Sim. Styl., 218. I shall die to-night, A quarter before twelve.

1844.  Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xiv. ‘The quarter’s gone!’ cried Mr. Tapley.

  In attrib. phrases.  1849.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 77. I was up to leaving, according to programme, by the quarter-after-eight train.

1857.  Hughes, Tom Brown, I. viii. 192. The quarter-to-ten bell … rang.

  † d.  The fourth part of the night, or of the period between two canonical hours. Obs. rare.

c. 1369.  Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 198. Ther-as she lay, Right even a quarter before day.

1412–20.  Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. vi. She … founde a quarter passed after pryme.

  9.  Of coins. † a. A farthing. Obs.

1389.  in Eng. Gilds, 60. Euery broyer and syster shal offeryn ij. q^rtre and j. q^r to ye almes.

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 140. Harrowers have usually 3d., or 3d. two quarters.

  b.  U.S. A silver coin = one fourth of a dollar.

[1799.  Washington, Lett., Writ. 1893, XIV. 150. It ought not to be larger than would cover a quarter of a dollar.]

1856.  Olmsted, Slave States, 4. Here’s a quarter for you.

1883.  H. H. Kane, in Harper’s Mag., Nov., 950/2. The deafening ‘Here you are! twenty sweet oranges for a quarter!’

  10.  Naut. † a. (See first quot.) Obs.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v., A quarter of a point, wind, or rhumb, is the fourth part of a cardinal point wind, or rhumb; or of the distance between two cardinal points, winds, etc. The quarter contains an arch of 11 degrees 15 minutes.

1796.  H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), I. 156. The highest Tide … set in from east-quarter-north.

  b.  The fourth part of a point on the compass; 2° 48′ 45″. Also quarter-point (see 30).

1795.  Hutton, Math. Dict., II. 319.

  11.  ellipt. (from 8 a). A quarterly instalment of an allowance or payment.

1679–88.  Secr. Serv. Money Chas. & Jas. (Camden), 63. Interest and gratuity for advancing the Dutchess of Portsmouth’s quarter when she went into France.

1849.  Thackeray, Pendennis, lviii. Pay me down the first quarter now.

  III.  Senses denoting locality, and transferred uses of these.

  12.  The region lying about or under one of the four principal points of the compass or divisions of the horizon; the point or division itself. Also spec. in Astrol. (see quot. 1696).

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., I. § 5. The 4 principals plages or quarters of the firmament.

1526.  Tindale, Rev. xx. 8. The people which are in the foure quarters [Gr. γωνίαις] of the erth.

1535.  Coverdale, Jer. xlix. 34. Vpon Elam I wil bringe the foure wyndes from y^e foure quarters of heauen.

1611.  Bible, 1 Chron. ix. 24. In foure quarters were the porters: toward the East, West, North, and South.

1696.  Phillips, Quarters of Heaven … in Astronomy, the [1706 Among Astrologers, certain] Intersections of the Spheres as well in the World as in the Zodiack [1706 of which two are termed Oriental, and counted Masculine; the other two being Occidental and Feminine].

1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. ii. 136. We espied a sail in the northern quarter.

1826.  Scott, Woodst., ii. Joceline … looked … to the four quarters of the horizon.

1835.  Sir J. Ross, Narr. 2nd Voy., xv. 231. Venus was also seen in the southern quarter.

1860.  Dickens, Uncomm. Trav., iv. The Four Quarters of the World came out of the globe.

  transf.  1542.  Recorde, Gr. Artes (1575), 197. The rose … is enuironed on the 4 quarters with 4 floure deluce.

  † b.  Boundary or limit towards one of the cardinal points; side. Obs.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., II. (Arb.), 78. A drie diche … goeth about thre sides or quarters of the city. To the fourth side the riuer it selfe serueth for a ditche.

1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (1885), I. 2. I wil first … descriue the quarteris and boundes of Scotland.

1611.  Bible, Josh. xviii. 14, 15. This was the West quarter. And the South quarter was from the end of Kiriath-iearim.

  c.  A direction or point of the compass, when more than four are mentioned or may be implied.

1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, III. v. 132. They reckon but twoo and thirty quarters of the windes, for that more would confound the memorie.

1664.  Evelyn, Sylva (1679), 16. How speedily they [oaks] spread, and dilate themselves to all quarters.

1674.  Grew, Veget. Trunks, vi. § 7. Setting down the respect it … hath to any Quarter in the Heavens.

1784.  Cowper, Task, I. 373. Winds from all quarters agitate the air.

1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), II. xiii. From every quarter of the compass to which you turn for refuge.

1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, viii. ‘Whew! sits the wind in that quarter?’ enquired the justice.

  13.  Region, district, place, locality.

  The pl. is sometimes used in much the same sense as the sing. With the preps. from, in, to, this sense cannot always be clearly distinguished from 12 c.

13[?].  K. Alis., 1902. Sixty citees, in that quarter, Heo forbrente.

1471.  E. Paston, in P. Lett., III. 27. I trow sche be in ȝour quarters.

1534.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. Wks. 1214/1. In this quarter here about vs.

1555.  W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, II. vii. 157. Suche commodities as the quartre beareth … wher they dwelle.

1667.  Milton, P. L., V. 686. Where we possess The Quarters of the North.

1734.  Sale, Koran, Prelim. Disc. § 1 (Chandos ed.), 1. In which quarter they dwelt in respect to the Jews.

1765.  Museum Rusticum, IV. 377. There were in that single quarter [of France] above one hundred acres of transplanted cole-seed.

1855.  Prescott, Philip II., II. vi. (1857), 270. The marquis … had left the place on a visit to a distant quarter.

1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. v. 383. Troops flocked to him from all quarters.

  b.  Indicating a certain portion or member of a community, or some thing or things, without reference to actual locality.

1777.  Sheridan, Sch. Scand., I. i. I was hurt … to learn, from the same quarter, that … Sir Peter and Lady Teazle have not agreed lately.

1818.  Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. viii. 668. The quarter from which this proposition proceeded … was no secret to him.

1821.  J. W. Croker, in Diary (1884), June 6. This is erroneous in fact,… but T. insisted he had it from a good quarter.

1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. ii. 136. A suspicion that even in the highest quarters justice had ceased to be much considered.

1886.  E. Miller, Textual Guide, 27. This deference to B, amounting almost to a superstitious adulation, leads the two learned Professors to follow it whenever it is supported by only slight testimony from other quarters.

  14.  A particular division or district of a town or city, esp. that appropriated to a particular class or race of people, as the Jewish quarter, etc.

1526.  Tindale, Luke xiv. 21. Goo out quickly into the stretes and quarters [1611 lanes] of the citie.

1541.  Act 33 Hen. VIII., c. 15. The said sainctuarymen … enter in euery parte and quarter of the same towne.

1602.  Return fr. Parnass., V. iv. What newes with you in this quarter of the Citty?

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 31, ¶ 1. The several Shows that are exhibited in different Quarters of the Town.

1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), II. 467. Rome is divided into fourteen rioni or quarters.

1820.  W. Irving, Sketch Bk., I. 121. In the most dark and dingy quarters of the city.

1864.  D. G. Mitchell, Sev. Stor., 214. A narrow court … which leads into a moldering quarter of the city.

  † b.  A particular place or point (in a building, etc.). Obs.

c. 1440.  Jacob’s Well, 69. Þis wose of pride has viij. corneres, or viij. quarterys.

1449[?].  Paston Lett., No. 67, I. 83. They have made wykets on every quarter of the hwse to schote owte atte.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VIII. 1051. At a quartar, quhar fyr had nocht ourtayn, Thai tuk thaim out fra that castell.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 131. That y^e ennemy may fynde in vs no quarter to entre.

  † c.  A part of a gathering or assembly, army, camp, etc. Obs.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. i. 63. Had all your Quarters been as safely kept As that whereof I had the gouernement, We had not beene … surpriz’d.

1596.  Edward III., IV. iv. 50. These quarters, squadrons, and these regiments.

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 137. It is a thing almost impossible, at any your Faires or publique assemblies to finde any quarter thereof sober.

  † d.  To keep good quarter: To keep good watch; to preserve good order. Obs.

1595.  Shaks., John, V. v. 20. Well: keepe good quarter, & good care to night.

1653.  H. More, Antid. Ath., II. viii. § 2 (1712), 63. To have made Man that he might be a Lord over the rest of the Creation and keep good quarter among them.

  † e.  To keep a … quarter: To maintain a (bad) state of things, to behave in a (bad) way; hence, even without adj., to make a noise or disturbance.

1632.  Lithgow, Trav., III. 88. The Souldiers kept a bloody quarter among themselues.

a. 1654.  Selden, Table-t. (Arb.), 81. They keep a huge quarter when they carry it into the Cellar.

1659.  Commw. Ball. (Percy Soc.), 150. For all you kept such a quarter, you are out of the councell of state.

1668.  Pepys, Diary, 29 Jan. They had fiddlers, and danced, and kept a quarter, which pleased me though it disturbed me.

1736.  Ainsworth, Lat. Dict., What a quarter they keep in the market.

1760.  Baretti, Engl.-Ital. Dict., To keep a heavy quarter, fare un grande strepito.

  15.  Place of stay or residence; dwelling-place, lodgings, esp. of soldiers. Now usu. in pl.

  Free quarter(s): see FREE-QUARTER. Head-, home-, out-, summer-, winter-quarters: see the first element. Quarters of refreshment (see quot. 1702–11). To beat up the quarters of: see BEAT v.¹ 28. To take up one’s quarters: to establish oneself (in a place).

  sing.  1591.  Garrard’s Art Warre, 77. Let him remember … to bring backe again into his Quarter those souldiers hee hath led foorth to any enterprise.

1649.  G. Daniel, Trinarch, Hen. IV., lxxxiv. The Lords who must in state Lodge at the Crowne … Defray their Quarter at a Double Rate.

1679.  Establ. Test., 25. In a place remote from his quarter, he rendevouzes with his fellow adventurers.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. vi. I went from their quarter.

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. I. v. The grate which led to our quarter opened anew.

1897.  Hughes, Medit. Fever, ii. 62. The staff-sergeant … occupied a two-room quarter a few yards away.

  pl.  1598.  B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., IV. v. Turnbull, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, which were then my quarters.

1645.  W. Browne, Lett. to Wood, 9 Sept., in Wood’s Life (O. H. S.), I. 122, note. Our horse from Oxon. fell on the enemies quarters at Thame.

1660.  Sancroft, Serm., 18 Nov., in D’Oyly, Life (1821), II. 320. God and his church pay their quarters wherever they come.

1703–11.  Milit. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4). 1, Quarters of Refreshment, the Place or Places, where Troops that haue been much harass’d, are put in to recover themselues, during some time of the Summer or Season for the Campaign.

1722.  De Foe, Moll Flanders (1840), 355. I found we must shift our quarters.

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 21, ¶ 3. I wandered with the regiment as the quarters were changed.

1807.  De Quincey, in ‘H. A. Page,’ Life (1877), I. vii. 125. Mrs. Koster did me the honour to call at my quarters.

1856.  Kane, Arct. Expl., I. iii. 35. We had a rough time in working to our present quarters.

1881.  Besant & Rice, Chapl. of Fleet, I. vi. (1883), 51. Where … robbers of the road had their customary quarters.

  † b.  The compulsory provision by private persons of lodging for troops. Obs.

1647.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. lxvi. (1739), 142. The Clergy are charged with Quarter, Cart-Service, and Purveying.

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., xvii. II. 45. The most flourishing cities were oppressed by the intolerable weight of quarters.

  c.  U.S. (South). The cabins in which the negroes on a plantation live.

1804.  Europ. Mag., XLV. 19/1. I walked away to the Quarter. [Note. The place of abode for the negroes].

1856.  Olmsted, Slave States, 111. Several cabins are placed near together, and they are called ‘the quarters.’

1889.  Constance Fenimore Woolson, in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 253/1. Let us go out to the quarters, grandpa; they will be dancing by now.

  d.  A place of exercise for dogs.

1844.  Sporting Rev., XI. 209. If you have sufficient walks or quarters, as they are sometimes called, to enable you to bring your own [hounds], begin with a good stock at first.

  16.  Assigned or appropriate position. † To keep quarter: to keep one’s own place. † To hold quarter with: to remain beside. Quarter of assembly (see quot. 1802). See also CLOSE QUARTERS.

1549.  Compl. Scot., vi. 41. Gunnaris, cum heir and stand by ȝour artailȝee, euyrie gunnar til his auen quartar.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. iii. 22. Follow the noyse so farre as we haue quarter.

1611.  Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, II. ii. Let me hold quarter with you; we’ll talk an hour Out quickly.

1612.  Bacon, Ess., Love (Arb.), 446. They doe best that make this affection keepe quarter, and seuer it wholly from their serious affaires.

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 714. Swift to thir several Quarters hasted then The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire.

1702–11.  Milit. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4), I. s.v., A Quarter at a Siege, An Incampment upon any of the principal Avenues of the Place.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Quarters, a name given, at sea, to the several stations where the officers and crew of a ship of war are posted in action.

1802.  James, Milit. Dict., Quarter of assembly, the place where the troops meet to march from in a body, and is the same as the place of rendezvous.

1836.  Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxvi. ‘Call the drummer,’ said Captain Wilson, ‘and let him beat to quarters.’

  † 17.  Relations with, or conduct towards, another; esp. in phr. to keep good (or fair) quarter(s) with.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., II. i. 108. So he would keepe faire quarter with his bed. Ibid. (1604), Oth., II. iii. 180. Friends all … In Quarter, and in termes like Bride, and Groome.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Cunning (Arb.), 439. Two, that were Competitors,… yet kept good Quarter betweene themselues.

1637.  Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 207. I find it to be hard wrestling to play fair with Christ and to keep good quarters with Him.

a. 1674.  Clarendon, Surv. Leviathan (1676), 153. The two next Kings … kept very fair quarter with Paschal.

  † b.  (Good or fair) treatment or terms. Obs. exc. arch.

1648.  Eikon Bas., iv. 25. I never had any thoughts of going from my House at Whitehall, if I could have had but any reasonable fair Quarter.

1699.  Bentley, Phal., 319. Lucian should have no better Quarter from him in his next Book, than I had in this last.

1705.  Stanhope, Paraphr., II. 268. No other Person must expect fair Quarter.

1735.  Bolingbroke, On Parties, Ded. (1738), 7. He would deserve certainly much better Quarter [etc.].

1826.  Scott, Woodst., xxxiii. Neither I nor my fellows will deliver it up but upon good quarter and conditions. Ibid. They will give thee fair quarter.

  18.  Exemption from being immediately pat to death, granted to a vanquished opponent by the victor in a battle or fight; clemency or mercy shown in sparing the life of one who surrenders. † Formerly also pl. † To cry quarter: to call for quarter.

  The precise origin of this sense is obscure, but it may be derived from 17, or even from 15 on the supposition that to give quarter originally meant to provide prisoners with quarters. The assertion of De Brieux (1672 Origines … de plusieurs façons de parler, 16) that it arose in an agreement between the Dutch and Spaniards, by which the ransom of an officer or private was to be a quarter of his pay, is at variance with the constant sense of the phrases give and receive quarter.

1611.  Cotgr., Quartier … Quarter, or faire war, wherein souldiers are taken prisoners and ransomed at a certaine rate.

c. 1645.  Howell, Lett. (1655), I. 231. He suffered Tilly to take that great Town with so much effusion of blood, because they wood receiue no quarter.

1659.  B. Harris, Parival’s Iron Age, 308. Many were cut down, the Swedes giving no quarter.

1693.  Mem. Ct. Teckely, II. 89. As this was not a War of Quarter, they defended themselves desperately.

1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xi. (1840), 188. The Portuguese cried quarter.

1788.  Priestley, Lect. Hist., V. lxii. 494. Civil wars are also peculiarly bloody, because less quarter is expected in them.

1816.  Byron, Siege Cor., xxiv. Cry For quarter, or for victory.

1841.  G. P. R. James, Brigand, iii. Several of them uttered a cry of ‘Quarter quarter.’

1865.  Kingsley, Herew., vii. Hereward bid his men give quarter.

  pl.  c. 1644.  MS. Hist. Somerville Fam., in Scott’s Rokeby. Having refused quarters, every man fell in the same order and ranke wherin he had foughten.

1684.  Scanderbeg Rediv., iv. 91. There was no Quarters given during the heat of the fight.

1726.  Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 129. They instantly came to, and call’d for quarters.

1747.  Gentl. Mag., 486. Near 7 at night she [the Terrible] called out for quarters.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), s.v., Quarters! is also an exclamation to implore mercy from a victorious enemy.

  b.  transf. and fig.

1647.  Ward, Simp. Cobler, 72. He shewes more true fortitude, that prayes quarter of … Truth.

1684.  J. Peter, Siege Vienna, 51. Nor was there any quarter given to the Wine-Cellars of the Emperor’s Ministers.

1745.  De Foe, Eng. Tradesman (1841), I. vii. 55. The tradesman can expect no quarter from his creditors.

1762.  Kames, Elem. Crit., xix. (1833), 344. Mere witticisms, which ought to have no quarter.

1817.  Shelley, Rev. Islam, Pref. There is no quarter given to Revenge, or Envy, or Prejudice.

1871.  Morley, Crit. Misc., Ser. I. Vauvenargues (1878), 25. The Trappist theory of the conditions of virtue found no quarter with him.

  IV.  Technical uses, in most of which the original sense is much obscured.

  19.  Carpentry. A piece of wood, four inches wide by two or four inches thick (see quot. 1703), used as an upright stud or scantling in partitions and other framing. Chiefly in pl.

[1331.  in J. T. Smith, Antiq. Westminster (1807), 207. Two pieces of timber eight feet long called quarters.]

1497.  Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 235. Sawyng of tymbre into plankes quarters Bourde and other necessaries.

1565–73.  Cooper, Thesaurus, Clostrum,… a rayle or other like thinge made of quarters.

1617.  Minsheu, Ductor, A quarter, a peece of timber commonly foure square, and foure inches thicke, as it were a quarter or fourth part of a beame.

1665.  Pepys, Diary, 21 Sept. The posts and quarters in the walls.

1703.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 163. Single Quarters are … two Inches thick, and four Inches broad. The Double Quarters are sawen to Four Inches square.

1811.  Self Instructor, 141. Plastering … between the quarters in partitioning.

1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 627. If the workman find materials for rendering between quarters, one-fifth must be added for quarters.

1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., 1843/2. The English rule is to place the quarters at a distance not exceeding 14 inches.

  20.  a. Farriery. One side of a horse’s hoof; one half of the coffin, extending between heel and toe; sometimes, the part of this immediately in front of the heel. False quarter: see FALSE a. 7. b. The corresponding part of a horse-shoe.

1523, etc.  [see FALSE a. 7].

1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 309. You shall easily perceive whether his grief be in the inward quarter or in the outward quarter; the quarter is to be understood, from the mid hoof to the heel.

1685.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2054/4. A Brown Dun Mare … with … a false quarter in one of her fore Feet.

1727.  Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Cut, If … the Horse Cuts himself, or interferes, thicken the inner Quarters or Spunges of his Shoes.

1829.  Nat. Philos., Prelim. Treat. (U.K.S.), 37. The frog coming down in the middle between the quarters, adds greatly to the elasticity.

1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., 1843/2. Quarter,… the rear or heel portion of a horseshoe.

  c.  That part of a shoe or boot lying immediately in front of the back-line, on either side of the foot; the piece of leather, or other stuff, forming this part of the shoe from the heel to the vamp.

1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. III. i. 228. They wear slippers like women’s shoes, without quarters.

1817.  Mar. Edgeworth, Harrington, vi. A slipper, with a heel so high, and a quarter so low.

1834.  Planché, Brit. Costume, 315. The shoes were worn with longer quarters and larger buckles.

1885.  H. M. Newhall, in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 280/2. The small quarter and button piece are ‘closed’ on the large quarter.

  † 21.  A bed or plot in a garden. Obs.

  Possibly due, in part at least, to confusion between ‘quarter’ and ‘square’ (as in the case of quadrant, quadrate): cf. F. carré, Sp. cuadro square, garden-plot.

1565.  Cooper, Thesaurus, Area in hortis,… a platte or quarter.

1572.  Mascall, Plant. & Graff. (1592), 8. Ye may plant or set all your Nuttes in one square or quarter together.

1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, II. 118/1. Statues or Figures cut in Stone [are proper] to be in the quarters of the Garden.

1706.  London & Wise, Retir’d Gard’ner, 12. Dig out of the Walks all the good Earth, and wheel or throw it into the Quarters.

1764.  Museum Rusticum, III. xvi. 73. This year they began to attack a large quarter of new-grafted apples.

  22.  Naut. a. The upper part of a ship’s side between the after part of the main chains and the stern. On the quarter, in a direction about midway between astern and on the beam.

1599.  [see AFTER a. 4 b].

a. 1618.  Raleigh, Royal Navy, 10. Otherwise the bow and quarter will utterly spoile her sayling.

1624.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Brave Sea-fight, Wks. (1630), III. 39/2. To clap the Portugall aboord on the Larboord quarter.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. xiii. All the stern and quarter of her was beaten to pieces with the sea.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), s.v., If we were to divide the ship’s sides into five equal portions…. The first, from the stern, would be the quarter. Ibid., s.v. Bearing. These Bearings … which may be called mechanical, are on the beam,… on the quarter [etc.].

1805.  Log of H.M.S. Tonnant, 21 Oct., in Nicolas, Disp. Nelson (1846), VII. 167, note. The French Admiral’s Ship under our quarter had lost her foremast.

1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, iv. 8. Leaving the land on our quarter.

1878.  Masque Poets, 120. The sea that came over her quarter.

  b.  Of a yard: The part between the slings and the yard-arm (see also quot. 1769).

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), s.v. Yard. The distance between the slings and the yard-arms on each side, is … divided into quarters, which are distinguished into the first, second, third quarters, and yard-arms.

c. 1860.  H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 25. The quarter of the mainyard.

1882.  Nares, Seamanship (ed. 6), 41. The truss strop on the quarter of the yard.

  † 23.  The skirt of a coat or other garment. Obs.

1535.  Coverdale, Deut. xxii. 12. Thou shalt make gardes vpon the foure quarters of thy garment.

1591.  Percivall, Sp. Dict., Falda, the lap of a coate, the skirtes, the quarters of a coate.

c. 1658.  Wit Restored, 167. Chill put on my zunday parrell That’s lac’t about the quarters.

  b.  Of a saddle: (see quot.).

1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., Quarters of a saddle are the pieces of leather or stuff made fast to the lower part of the sides of a saddle, and hanging down below the saddle.

  24.  One of the four parts into which a road is divided by the horse-track and the wheel-ruts.

1767.  A. Young, Lett. to People (1771), I. 445. A road … upon which the tracks may vary, without having quarters a yard high to cross.

1789.  Trans. Soc. Arts, VII. 203–4. Gravelled roads,… where quarters are formed by carriages following in one continued track.

1805.  Dickson, Practical Agric., I. Plate xxxvii. It is drawn by two horses abreast, the outside horse on the outer quarter, and the other in the path…. Thus an inside and outside quarter are taken in going, and the others in returning.

1879.  in Norfolk Archæol., VIII. 172.

  25.  dial. One of the four teats of a cow (cf. QUARTER-EVIL 2). False quarter (see quot. 1797).

1797.  J. Billingsley, View Agric. Somerset, 249. This disorder frequently affects the udder, and brings on a false quarter, that is, a deprivation of milk in one teat.

1886.  Holland, Cheshire Gloss., s.v., When a cow … ceases to give milk from one teat, she is said to have lost a quarter.

  26.  Miscellaneous uses.

  a.  Fencing. Some kind of stroke or blow (cf. quarter-blow, -stroke in 30). † b. ? A square space. Obs. † c. ? A square block. Obs. † d. Typog. One of the divisions of a form (see quot.). Obs. † e. In the manege (see quot.). Obs. † f. pl. In the old style of Rugby football (see quot.). Obs. g. Arch. A portion of a Gothic arch (Knight, Dict. Mech., 1875). h. Carpentry. A section of a winding stair (ibid.). i. A section of a mill-stone dress (ibid.). j. That part of the side of a cask which lies between the chime and bulge (ibid.). k. An angular piece of cork, ready for rounding (ibid.).

  a.  c. 1450.  Fencing w. two handed Sword, in Rel. Ant., I. 309. Thy rakys, thy rowndis, thy quarters abowte.

  b.  1454.  in Dugdale, Antiq. Warwicksh., 356. Under every principall housing a goodly quarter for a Scutcheon of copper and gilt to be set in.

  c.  1601.  Holland, Pliny, II. 602. In Portugall … there be found great crystal quarters or masses of a wonderful weight.

  d.  1683.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, 388. Quarto’s, Octavo’s and Twelves Forms are Imposed in Quarters. They are called Quarters, not from their equal divisions; but because they are Imposed and Lockt up apart. Thus half the Short-Cross in a Twelves Form is called a Quarter, though it be indeed but one Sixth part of the Form.

  e.  1727.  Bailey, vol. II., To work from Quarter, to Quarter, is to ride a Horse three Times an End upon the first of the four Lines of a Square, and then changing Hands to ride him three Times upon the second, and so to do upon the third and fourth.

  f.  1857.  Hughes, Tom Brown, I. v. 114. The captain of quarters … spread his men … halfway between their own goal and the body of their own players-up.

  V.  attrib. and Comb.

  27.  General combs. (sense 1), as quarter-barrel, -ebb, -face, -flood, -hogshead, -inch, -look, -mile, pay, -pint, -rations, -size, -yard, etc.; quarter-faced adj.; quarter-yearly adv.

1882.  ‘Ouida,’ Maremma, I. 245. There is a trifle of oil, a *quarter-barrel.

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 46. Wheþir it be … half or *quarter ebbe.

1626.  Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 17. A spring tide, ebbe, a quarter ebbe, halfe ebbe.

1846.  M’Culloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), I. 251. Measured from the sea at quarter-ebb tide.

1616.  B. Jonson, Forest, xii. Let them still Turn upon scorned verse their *quarter-face.

1833.  Regul. & Instr. Cavalry, I. 33. Remain *quarter-faced to the right.

c. 1391.  Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 46. Half flode or *quarter flode.

1626.  Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 17. It [the sea] flowes, quarter floud, high water, or a still water.

1801.  Nelson, 15 Aug., in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), IV. 460. At last quarter-flood, at the Pier-head.

1891.  T. Hardy, Tess, xxxviii. The washing-tub stood … on the same old *quarter-hogshead.

1890.  W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 58. Nearly all of them are to a *quarter-inch scale.

1636.  Massinger, Bashf. Lover, I. i. Observe his posture But with a *quarter-look.

1895.  Westm. Gaz., 11 Jan., 5/2. A *quarter-mile straight race for professionals.

1691.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 275. The seamen shall be … kept in *quarter pay till spring.

1744.  Berkeley, Lett. to Hanmer, 21 Aug., in Fraser, Life, viii. (1871), 299. You may take this quantity either in half-pint or *quarter-pint glasses.

1856.  Lever, Martins of Cro’ M., 201. A shipwrecked crew reduced to *quarter-rations.

1889.  Anthony’s Photogr. Bull., II. 3. A *quarter-size ‘detective’ camera.

a. 1400.  Stockh. Med. MS., ii. 657, in Anglia, XVIII. 323. His stalke is *quarter ȝerde longe.

1795.  Hamilton, Wks. (1886), VII. 95. His allowance is at the rate of 25,000 dollars per annum, 6,250 dollars *quarter-yearly.

  b.  With names of coins, as quarter-angel, -dollar, -ducat, -eagle, -florin, -guinea, -noble, -pound, -shekel, -shilling, -sovereign, etc.

1866.  Crump, Banking, x. 223. *Quarter-angel.

1772.  Pennsylvania Gaz., 25 June, 1/3. There was in it [a stolen Pocket-Book], one dollar and a quarter-dollar in silver, a few small bills, paper-money, [etc.].

1837.  Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., II. 89. The lowest price … was a *quarter-dollar per acre.

1639.  Ford, Lady’s Trial, V. i. Pistol a straggler for a *quarter-ducat.

1874.  Raymond, 6th Rep. Mines, 524. Eagles … Half-eagles … *Quarter-eagles.

1707.  Fleetwood, Chron. Prec., 21. The *Quarter Floren he [Fabian] calls a Farthing, val is. viiid.

1776.  Ann. Reg., 140. *Quarter guineas more deficient in weight than … 1 dwt. 8 grs.

1803.  Hatchett, in Phil. Trans., XCIII. 137. George I. a quarter-guinea.

1866.  Crump, Banking, x. 222. *Quarter-noble. Ibid., 223. *Quarter-pound.

1702.  R. L’Estrange, Josephus, Antiq., VI. v. (1733), 136. The Servants told him that he had a *Quarter-Sicle left yet.

1561.  Procl. Abassing Coynes, in W. Stafford, Exam. Complaints (1876), 101. The *Quarter shilling That was curraunt for iij d Shalbe curraunt for ij d.

  † c.  Artillery, denoting small sizes of certain pieces, as quarter-cannon, -culverin, -slang, -sling. Obs. (Cf. HALF- II. d.)

1549.  Compl. Scot., vi. 41. Mak reddy ȝour … slangis, & half slangis, quarter slangis.

1570.  J. Drout, Garlfrido & Bernardo, C 2.

1611.  Florio, Quarto cannone, a quarter Cannon, which is but weakely fortifide or mettalled.

1684.  J. Peter, Siege Vienna, 111. Quarter Cannon, each 12 pound 306. Ibid., 109. Quarter Culverin … 26.

  d.  With names of persons, as quarter-carrier, -fairy, -ruler, -tyrant. Also QUARTERMASTER 3.

1612.  Shaks. & Fl., Two Noble K., I. ii. 108. Were he a *quarter carrier of that honour which His enemy comes in.

a. 1634.  Randolph, Amyntas, V. 6. They do caper Like *quarter Fairies at the least.

1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, IV. xi. (1620), 160. A *quarter ruler with his brethren and sisters.

c. 1640.  J. Smyth, Lives Berkeleys (1883), I. 116. The lawes … as some have written, were as *quarter-tirants.

  † 28.  (Sense 8 a) = ‘quarter’s,’ ‘quarterly,’ as quarter-allowance, -almoner, -feast, -fee, -salary, -sermon, -service, -supper. Also QUARTER-DAY, -SESSIONS, -WAITER.

1727.  Boyer, Dict. Fr.-Angl., Quartier,… *Quarter-allowance.

1599.  Sandys, Europæ Spec., 9. With an eye perhaps that themselves would be his *quarter Almoners.

1609.  B. Jonson, Silent Woman, II. ii. It is his *quarter-feast, sir.

1615.  J. Stephens, Satyr. Ess., 11. Clearkes and other knaves … Will take a pention or a *quarter-fee.

1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 27. Preaching their *quarter sermons themselues.

a. 1555.  Latimer, Serm. & Rem. (1845), 243. Any services in your churches, either trental, *quarter service, or other.

1592.  in Acts Priv. Counc., N. S. XXII. 564. Irysche customes as … *Quartersupers called Quidraighe.

  29.  Naut. (sense 22 a) as quarter-badge, -bitt, -boat, -check, -davits, -fast, -netting, -port, -rail, -railing, -stanchions (cf. quots.). See also quarter-board, -cloth, -ladder, -timbers in 30, and QUARTER-GALLERY, -LINE, -PIECE, -WIND.

1807.  Robinson, Archæol. Græca, IV. xiv. 390. To the ἀκροστόλια in the prow answered the ἄφλαστα, *quarter-badges, in the stern.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Quarter-badge, artificial galleries; a carved ornament near the stern of those vessels which have no quarter-galleries.

1805.  Sir E. Berry, 13 Oct., in Nicolas, Disp. (1846), VII. 118, note. I ordered the weather *quarter-boat to be cut away.

1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, vi. 13. The watch on deck were lowering away the quarter-boat.

1833.  Marryat, P. Simple (1863), 41. Request that he will cast off the *quarter check.

1898.  J. Conrad, Nigger of Narcissus, 246. Let go your quarter-checks!… The ropes splashed heavily, falling in the water.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., *Quarter-davits, pieces of iron or timber with sheaves or blocks at their outer ends, projecting from a vessel’s quarters, to hoist boats up to.

1846.  A. Young, Naut. Dict., 117. Fast. A rope or chain by which a vessel is secured to a wharf or quay. They are called bow, head, *quarter, and stern fasts.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), *Quarter-netting, a sort of net-work, extended along the rails on the upper-part of a ship’s quarter.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Quarter-Nettings, the place alloted on the quarters for the stowage of hammocks. Ibid., *Quarter-ports, those made in the after side-timbers and especially in round-stern vessels.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), *Quarter-rails, are narrow-moulded planks, generally of fir, reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway.

c. 1850.  Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 139. Quarter-rails, rails fixed into stanchions from the stern to the gangway, and serving as a fence.

1809.  W. Irving, Knickerb. (1861), 200. Anthony … was leaning over the *quarter-railing of the galley.

1860.  Longf., Wayside Inn, Saga K. Olaf, xx. He sat concealed,… behind the quarter-railing.

1846.  A. Young, Naut. Dict., 243. *Quarter-stanchions. Strong stanchions in the quarters of a square-sterned vessel, one of which forms the outmost boundary of the stern on either side: it connects the main rail with the taffrail; [etc.].

  30.  Special combs., as quarter-ail = QUARTER-ILL; † quarter-ale, an ‘ale’ or festival held by the people of a certain quarter (? or quarterly); quarter-angled a., at a quarter of a right angle; also Her. = QUADRATE a. 5; quarter-aspect, quartile-aspect (Worcester 1860, citing Brande); quarter-back, in American football, a player stationed between the forwards and half-backs; (see also quot. 1895); † quarter-basin, Sc. (?); quarter-bell, a bell in a clock that sounds the quarters; quarter-bend, a section of pipe bent into a quarter-circle (Knight, Dict. Mech., Suppl. 1884); quarter-bill, Naut. (see quot.); quarter-binding, a style of bookbinding with narrow leather back and no leather corners; quarter-blanket, a small blanket for a horse’s back (Knight); quarter-block, Naut. a block fitted under the quarter of a yard; † quarter-blow (cf. QUARTER 26 a, and quarter-stroke); quarter-board, † some kind of board used in carpentry; also Naut. in pl. (see quot. 1846); † quarter-book, ? a book containing quarterly accounts; quarter-boot, a leather boot used to protect the heels of a horse’s fore-feet from being injured by the hind feet (Knight); quarter-bound a., in Bookbinding, (see quarter-binding); quarter-boy, a quarter-jack in the form of a boy; quarter-bred, of animals: having one-fourth good blood (Ogilvie, 1882); † quarter-bullet (see quot.); quarter-butt, in Billiards, a cue smaller than the HALF-BUTT; quarter-cask, (a) a quarter-hogshead; (b) a quarter-butt; † quarter-cast, a. of a horse (see quot.); quarter-clock, a clock that strikes the quarters; quarter-cloth, (a) Naut. (see quot.); (b) = quarter-blanket; quarter-coal, a periodical allowance of coal made to miners (Gresley, Gloss. Coal mining, 1883); quarter-column, Mil. (see quots.); † quarter-cord, Mining (see quot. 1747); quarter-course, U.S., a quarter-mile racing-course; quarter-crack, a crack on the inner quarter of a horse’s fore-hoof (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1897); † quarter-curtsey, a slight curtsey; quarter-cut, plank cut to a quarter of an inch in thickness; quarter-distance, Mil. a distance intermediate between half and close distance; quarter-fishes [FISH sb.²], Naut. ‘stout pieces of wood hooped on to a mast to strengthen it’ (Cent. Dict.); † quarter-foot = quarter-hoof; † quarter-four, (?); quarter-galley, Naut. ‘a Barbary cruiser’ (Smyth); quarter-grain, the grain of wood in the plane of the medullary fibers and radially from the center, shown when a log is quartered; † quarter-ground (Isle of Man) = QUARTERLAND; † quarter-head, a brad or flat-nail with a bill or projection at the head; † quarter-heel = QUARTER 20 c; quarter-hollow, a concave molding, having an arc that is approximately a quadrant; also attrib., or adj., as in quarter-hollow tool (Cent. Dict., 1891); † quarter-hoof, ? a hoof with one of the quarters cut (cf. quarter-cast); quarter-hoop, a hoop on the quarter of a cask; also attrib.; quarter-hung a., of a gun: having trunnions with their axis below the line of bore (Knight); quarter-iron, a boom-iron on the quarter of a yard; quarter-ladder, Naut. (see quots.); quarter-left, Mil. one quarter of a right-angle towards the left; quarter-light, a side-window in the body of a close carriage, as distinct from the door-light; quarter-miler, one who is good at running a quarter-mile race; † quarter-moon, (a) a crescent moon; (b) = QUADRATURE 4 b; † quarter-night, the time when a quarter of the night has passed; quarter-note, Mus. a crotchet; also attrib. as quarter-note rest; quarter-pace, a resting-place or landing on a stair, containing a quadrant or ‘quarter-turn’; quarter-partition, a partition whose framework is made of quarters; quarter-pierced a., Her. (see quots.); quarter-plate, a photographic plate measuring 3¹/₄ × 4¹/₄ inches; also, a photograph taken on a plate of this size; also attrib.; quarter-ply a. (?); quarter-point, Naut. = QUARTER 10 b; quarter-pointed a., Her. (see quot.); quarter-pole, a pole marking the quarter-mile on a race-course; quarter-quibble, ? a poor or weak quibble; quarter-race, U.S., a quarter-mile race; quarter-rack, a rack that regulates the striking of the quarters in a clock; † quarter-ranger, ? the ranger or keeper of a certain quarter; quarter-repeater, a repeater-watch that strikes the quarters; quarter-rest, Mus. a rest equal in time to a quarter-note, a crotchet-rest (Cent. Dict.); quarter-right, Mil. one quarter of a right angle towards the right; † quarter-road, an ordinary road with quarters separated by horse-track and ruts; quarter-round, a convex molding having an outline of a quarter-circle, an ovolo or echinus; also attrib., or adj., as quarter-round tool; † quarter-sack, a sack capable of holding a quarter of grain; quarter-sawed a., of wood: quartered; quarter-screw, one of the four screws in a compensation balance by which the watch is regulated; quarter-seal, a seal pertaining to the Chancery of Scotland, having the shape and impression of a fourth part of the Great Seal; quarter-section (U.S. and Canada), a quarter of a square mile of land, 160 acres; quarter-sights, sights engraved on the base-ring of a cannon in quarter degrees (Smyth); quarter-slings, Naut. (see quot.); quarter-snail (see quot.); quarter-space = quarter-pace (Nicholson, 1823); † quarter-spells, some game; quarter-square, the fourth part of the square of a number; quarter-stroke, † (a) = quarter-blow; (b) the stroke with which a clock marks the quarters; quarter-stuff, (a) = quarter-timber b; (b) = quarter-cut (Knight); quarter-tackle, Naut. (see quot.); † quarter-tale, reckoning (grain) by quarters; quarter-timber, † (a) quartered timber; (b) timber in the form of quarters (sense 19); (c) Naut. in pl. (see quot. 1846); quarter-tone, Mus. one-half of a semitone; quarter-track = quarter-course; quarter-turn, (a) a rifle in which the shot makes a quarter of a revolution in the length of the barrel; (b) a bend of a quarter of a circle; also attrib.; quarter-twist = prec. a; quarter-vine, an American vine (Bignonia capreolata), the stem of which readily divides into quarters (Cent. Dict.); † quarter-voided a., Her. = quarter-pierced; quarter-watch, Naut. a ship’s watch composed of one-fourth of the crew; quarter-wheeling, turning through a quarter of a circle; † quarter-wood = quarter-timber.

1797.  J. Billingsley, View Agric. Somerset, 249. A disorder provincially called the *quarter-ail, which is a mortification beginning at the hock.

1574.  Proviso in Lease, in Worsley, Hist. Isle Wight, 210. If the Quarter shall need … to make a *Quarter-Ale, or Church-Ale.

1775.  Adair, Amer. Ind., 269. Rushed off with impetuous violence, on a *quarter-angled course.

1895.  Westm. Gaz., 8 Nov., 2/1. Your *‘quarter-backs,’ as half-backs were then called, waited for the ball to roll out.

1899.  W. Camp, in Badminton, Football, xxii. 286. Seven rushers or forwards,… a quarter-back, who stands just behind this line; two half-backs [etc.].

179[?].  Burns, Lass Ecclefechan, i. A mickle *quarter basin.

1872.  Ellacombe, Bells of Ch., in Ch. Bells Devon, viii. 393. The four *quarter bells were cast.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), *Quarter-bill, a roll, or list, containing the different stations, to which all the officers and crew of the ship are quartered, in the time of battle, and the names of all the persons appointed to those stations.

1794.  Rigging & Seamanship, I. 157. Thick-and-thin, or *Quarter block, is a double block … used to lead down the topsail-sheets and clue-lines.

c. 1860.  H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 38. Topsail sheets when made of chain are rove through gins instead of quarter blocks.

1555.  W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, II. x. 221. Thei [Tartares] fighte all with a *quarter blow, and neither right downe, ne foyning.

1589.  Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 85. Breaking a few quarter blowes with such countrey glances as they coulde.

1638.  Heywood, Wise Wom., IV. Wks. 1874, V. 330. I had my wards, and foynes, and quarter-blowes.

1452.  in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 282. The selyng boord … shalbe *quartere borde an inche thyk.

1497.  Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 296. Sawyng of certeyn tymbre into plankes [&] quarterbordes.

1548.  Privy Council Acts (1890), II. 174. Quarter boord, iijm^l.

1846.  A. Young, Naut. Dict., 242. Quarter-Boards, or Topgallant Quarter-boards. A thin bulwark boarding, forming an additional height to the bulwarks at the after part of a vessel. They also get the name of Topgallant bulwarks.

1679–88.  Secr. Serv. Money Chas. & Jas. (Camden), 146. His allowance … for returning the *quarter books to S^r Edmund Turner.

1826.  Southey, Vind. Eccl. Angl., 260. The machinery … by which his own *quarter-boys in Fleet-street perform their office.

1900.  Academy, 28 April, 365/1. The grotesque ‘quarter-boys’—corpulent cherubs on either side of the clock—beat the quarters on the dial.

1627.  Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xiv. 69. *Quarter Bullets is … any bullet quartered in foure or eight parts.

1873.  Bennett & ‘Cavendish,’ Billiards, 27. The cue-butt or *quarter-butt is larger in diameter than the cue, about 5 feet long, and leathered at the bottom.

1711–2.  Advt., in Spectator (1891), 904. 22 Hogsheads and 3 *quarter Casks of new Bene-Carlos Barcelona Wine … at … 5l. per Hogshead and 25s. per Quarter Cask.

1727.  Bailey, vol. II., *Quarter-cast (with Horsemen), a Horse is said to cast his Quarter, where for any Disorder in the Coffin, there is a Necessity to cut one of the Quarters of the Hoof.

1626.  Donne, Serm., lxxiii. 748. There was never heard *Quarter-clock to strike.

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 217. [A] Quarter Clock … [is] a clock that strikes or chimes at the quarter hours.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), *Quarter-cloths,… long pieces of painted canvas, extended on the outside of the quarter-netting from the upper part of the gallery to the gangway.

1894.  Field, 9 June, 828/3. The names of his two horses embroidered on the quarter cloths.

1879.  Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 218/2. The *quarter-column is the formation … most employed when large bodies of troops are working together.

1884.  St. James’s Gaz., 21 Aug., 5/2. A battalion of eight companies in quarter-column, that is, in column of companies one behind the other.

1747.  Hooson, Miner’s Dict., Q ij b, *Quartercord [is] a Measure used in laying out of Flats, ’tis a superficial Measure, and one fourth part of a Mear; it is a Square, each side being seven Yards and one Quarter long.

1851.  Tapping, Gloss. Mining Terms (E. D. S.), s.v., So long as a mine is wrought … everything upon the quarter cord belongs to the miner.

1885.  E. Eggleston, in Century Mag., XXX. 397/2. *‘Quarter-courses’ usually consisted of two parallel paths, and were run by two horses at a time.

1753.  Smollett, Ct. Fathom (1784), 147/1. A *quarter curtsey, or slight inclination of the head.

1895.  Westm. Gaz., 30 March, 3/1. The skin of … all kinds of racing eights, is known as *‘quarter cut.’

1796.  Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 164. The rear … [divisions] quicken their march, and close up to *quarter distance.

1842.  Alison, Hist. Europe (1849–50), XIV. xciv. § 7. 7. They were drawn up in two lines, but the enemy chiefly in quarter-distance columns.

1711.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4888/4. A *quarter Foot the near Foot behind.

1776.  G. Semple, Building in Water, 66. A nine Foot Pantile-lath or a *Quarter-four.

1745.  P. Thomas, Voy. S. Seas, 58. We found here in the Road … two *Quarter Galleys.

1867.  [see HALF-GALLEY].

1703.  T. N., City & C. Purchaser, 187. The *Quarter-grain … is that Grain which is seen to run in straight Lines towards the Pitch.

1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 612. Clear them [laths] into thicknesses by the quarter grain.

1593.  Statutes Isle Man (1821), 76. To pay for every *Quarter Ground in respect of their … Custom Turves.

1703.  T. N., City & C. Purchaser, 35. *Quarter-heads, or Bill-brads for soft Wood-floors.

1727.  A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. vii. 67. Their Shoes … very low and stiff at the *Quarter-heels.

1713.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5148/12. A *Quarter hoof on one of his hind Feet.

1885.  Census Instruct., *Quarter Hoop Maker, Bender, Shaver.

c. 1860.  H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 75. On each quarter is a *quarter-iron that opens with a hinge to allow the topmast studdingsail booms to be raised or lowered.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), *Quarter-Ladders, two ladders of rope, depending from the right and left side of a ship’s stern.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Quarter-Ladder, from the quarter-deck to the poop.

1832.  Regul. Instr. Cavalry, III. 93. The … command will be given, Squadrons … *Quarter or Half Left.

1881.  Daily News, 15 Sept., 3/2. The engine … struck the side of the three last carriages…, smashed a number of the *‘quarter lights.’

1890.  W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 157. The thick glass in the quarter-lights, the thinner plate in the door-lights, are not bought for nothing.

1899.  Daily News, 19 July, 6/6. The *quarter-miler was only just leading Thomas at the finish.

1607.  Holland, Pliny, I. 121. With horned points like to a *quarter moone.

1665–6.  Phil. Trans., I. 54. The Course of irregular Tides about the Quarter Moons.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Miller’s T., 330. A Monday next, at *quarter-night, Shall fall a reyn.

1763.  J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., v. 63. *Quarter-Notes;… an Interval which no human Ear can precisely distinguish.

1773.  Barrington, Singing of Birds, in Phil. Trans., LXIII. 264. Such a minute interval … when a quarter-note for example might be required.

1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 594. Where the height of a story is considerable, resting places are necessary, which go under the name of *quarter-paces, and half-paces, according as the passenger … has to describe a quadrant or semi-circle.

1858.  Skyring’s Builders’ Prices (ed. 48), 13. The Plates and Braces in *Quarter Partitions must be added.

1842–59.  Gwilt, Archit. (ed. 4), § 2024. The scantlings of the timbers of a quarter partition should vary according to the extent of bearing.

1678.  Phillips (ed. 4), *Quarter Pierced, in Heraldry is when there is a hole of a square form made in the middle of a Cross.

1893.  Cussans, Her. (ed. 4), 63. The Cross … If … that part where the limbs are conjoined be removed, it is termed Quarterly-pierced. A Cross with a square aperture in its centre, smaller than the last example, is Quarter-pierced.

1890.  Anthony’s Photogr. Bull., III. 273. A ‘half-plate’ or a *‘quarter-plate’ lens. Ibid. A beginner buying his first quarter-plate outfit.

1856.  Olmsted, Slave States, 3. Three yards of ragged and faded *quarter-ply carpeting.

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Point, Half of that, or 2° 48′ ³/₄, [is] a *quarter point.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), The quarter-points of the Compass … are distinguished … by the word by.

1840.  Marryat, Olla Podr., III. 26. How was it possible that a man could navigate a ship with only one quarter point of the compass in his head?

1825–9.  W. Berry, Encycl. Her., *Quarter-pointed,… extending from dexter chief towards the base, and terminated in the fesse point. It … is just one-fourth part of a partition per saltier.

1894.  Outing (U.S.), XXIV. 142/2. Held his place until the *quarter-pole was reached.

1663.  Dryden, Wild Gallant, I. i. Wks. 1882, II. 35. A bare clinch will serve the turn; a carwichet, a *quarter-quibble, or a pun.

1729.  T. Cooke, Tales, etc. 96. Quarter-quibbles made his Heart right glad.

1792.  Descr. Kentucky, 12. His time is employed in *quarter-races, cock-fights.

1885.  E. Eggleston, in Century Mag., XXX. 397/2. In North Carolina … quarter-races were much esteemed.

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 219. The *quarter rack … falls against the bent arm of the hour rack hook.

a. 1613.  Overbury, Characters, Sargeant, Wks. (1856), 163. The gallowes are his purlues, in which the hangman and hee are the *Quarter-rangers.

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 224. In a *quarter repeater the last hour is struck, and afterwards the number of quarters that have elapsed since.

1832.  Regul. Instr. Cavalry, II. 72. The Troops … wheel *quarter right. Ibid., 90. The previous command is given, Squadrons quarter or half-right.

1767.  A. Young, Lett. to People, 282. A broad-wheel waggon will go in any *quarter-road.

1706.  Phillips (ed. Kersey), Echinus … is termed … Ovolo by the Italians; but the English Workmen commonly call it the *Quarter-round.

1753.  Hogarth, Anal. Beauty, xii. 171. Let us observe the ‘ovolo,’ or quarter-round, in a cornice.

1851.  Turner, Dom. Archit., II. vi. 272. The arches and purlins are well moulded, with the quarter round and fillet.

15[?].  Merie Tales of Skelton, S.’s Wks. 1843, I. p. lxx. The miller hauying a great *quarter sacke.

a. 1661.  Fuller, Worthies, Cambridge, I. (1662), 156. Quarter-sacks were here first used, men commonly carrying … eight bushels of Barly.

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 25. Drawing out the *quarter screws of the balance nearest the fast position … and setting in the ones nearest to slow position.

1706.  Act 6 Anne, c. 11 Art. xxiv. The privy seal … *quarter seal and seals of Courts now used in Scotland.

1879.  Ld. Beaconsfield, Sp., 18 Sept., 2/3. Every man of fair character who comes to Canada, has a right … to obtain what is called a *quarter-section of land.

1882.  Contemp. Rev., Aug., 233. Each township, section, and quarter-section … marked off by mounds and posts.

1876.  Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., 385/2. In smooth-bore guns, *quarter-sights are cut on the upper quarter of the base ring, and numbered up to 3°.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., *Quarter-Slings, are supports attached to a yard or other spar at one or both sides of (but not in) its centre.

1884.  F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 219. [The] *Quarter Snail … [is] the snail used in the quarter part of clocks and repeating watches.

1448.  in Bacon, Ann. Ipswich, 105. John Lackford accused for cheating at Games called Whistilds, Prelleds, and *Quarter spells.

1841.  Penny Cycl., XIX. 199/2. A table which gives the squares of the halves of numbers will, by the addition of the squares of the halves or *quarter-squares, give the product.

1559.  Aylmer, Harborowe, H. They must know their *quarter strookes, and the waye how to defende their head.

1589.  Marprel. Epit., D ij. Such a precher … as this, would quickly with his quarter strokes, ouerturne al religion.

1780.  Cowper, Table Talk, 531. The clock-work tintinnabulum of rhyme,… such mere quarter-strokes are not for me.

1712.  J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 71. They make use … of *Quarter-Stuff for large Plinths and Facias.

1799.  Naval Chron., II. 389. Timber…, blocks, quarterstuff, candles.

1815.  Falconer’s Mar. Dict. (ed. Burney), *Quarter-tackle, a strong tackle fixed occasionally upon the quarter of the main- or fore-yard, to hoist boats and heavy packages into and out of the ship.

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 132. For burying of Corne by *Quarter-tayle … to have 6d. a quarter for barley, 4d. a quarter for oates.

1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 488. The *quarter timber, or that which runneth with foure grains, is simply the best.

1846.  A. Young, Naut. Dict., 243. Quarter-timbers. The framing timbers in a vessel’s quarter.

1776.  Burney, Hist. Mus. (1789), I. ii. 23. A Diesis or *Quarter-tone.

1811.  Busby, Dict. Mus., s.v., The Quarter-tone is of two kinds, viz. the major-enharmonic … and the enharmonic minor.

1866.  Engel, Nat. Mus., ii. 45. The seven intervals of the Hindu Scale … are subdivided into twenty-two srooti, corresponding to quarter-tones.

1888.  J. C. Harris, Free Joe, etc. 10. There was a *quarter-track,… if he chose … horse-racing.

1810.  Sporting Mag., XXXVI. 272. A *quarter turn, which is the kind of rifle the line uses.

1661.  Morgan, Sph. Gentry, II. iii. 29. Or … a Crosse *quarter-voided azure.

1702–11.  Milit. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4), II. *Quarter-Watch is when a Quarter of the Ship’s Company watches, which is us’d in Harbour, when there is no Danger.

1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Faire la petite Bordee, to set the quarter-watch.

1887.  G. B. Goode, Fisheries U. S., V. ii. 229. On the whaling ground … they stand ‘quarter-watches.’

1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., *Quarter-wheeling … in the military art, is a motion whereby the front of a body of men is turned round to where the flank was.

1611.  in Cheshire Gloss., 275. *Quarter wood att the wiche howses.