n. One of four equal or equivalent parts into which anything is or may be divided; a fourth part or portion; one of four equal or corresponding divisions.n. Specifically— The fourth part of a yard or of an ell.n. The fourth part of a hundredweight—that is, 28 pounds, the hundredweight being equal to 112 pounds. Abbreviated qr.n. In England, as a legal measure of capacity, eight bushels. Locally, 16, 12, or 9 bushels, 8 bushels and 3 pecks, or 8 bushels, 2 pecks, and 2½ quarts are variously called a quarter.n. The fourth part of an hour.n. In astronomy, the fourth part of the moon's period or monthly revolution: as, the first quarter after the change or full.n. One of the four parts into which the horizon is supposed to be divided; one of the four cardinal points: as, the four quarters of the globe; but, more widely, any region or point of the compass: as, from what quarter does the wind blow? people thronged in from all quarters; hence, indefinitely, any direction or source: as, my information comes from a high quarter.n. In navigation, the fourth part of the distance from one point on the compass-card to another, being the fourth of 11° 15′ —that is, about 2° 49′ . Also called quarter-point.n. The fourth part of the year; specifically, in schools, the fourth part of the teaching period of the year, generally ten or eleven weeks.n. A silver coin, equal to one fourth part of a dollar, or twenty-five cents; also, the sum of twenty-five cents.n. One fourth part of the body or carcass of an animal, in the case of butcher's meat including a leg: as, a fore or hind quarter of mutton; especially, one of the hind quarters; a haunch: generally in the plural: as, the quarters of a horse. See cut under horse.n. In heraldry: One of the four parts into which a shield is divided by quartering. The four quarters are numbered as follows: 1, dexter chief; 2, sinister chief; 3, dexter base; 4, sinister base. An ordinary occupying one fourth of the field, and placed (unless otherwise directed) in the dexter chief, as shown in the cut; also, sometimes, same as canton, 4.n. In shoemaking, the part of the shoe or boot, on either side, between the back of the heel and a line drawn downward from the ankle-bone or thereabout; hence, that part of the leather which occupies the same place, whether the actual upper-leather of the shoe or a stiff lining. See cut under boot.n. Nautical: The part of a ship's side between the after part of the main chains and the stern.n. The part of a yard between the slings and the yard-arm.n. In farriery, the part of a horse's foot between the toe and the heel, being the side of the coffin. A false quarter is a cleft in the hoof extending from the coronet to the shoe, or from top to bottom. When for any disorder one of the quarters is cut, the horse is said to be quarter-cast.n. In architecture, a square panel inclosing a quatrefoil or other ornament; also, an upright post in partitions to which the laths are nailed.n. In a cask, the part of the side between the bulge and the chime.n. In the dress of a millstone, a section of the dress containing one leader and branches.n. In carpentry, one of the sections of a winding stair.n. In cork-cutting, a parallelepiped of cork ready to be rounded into shape.n. In printing, any one of the four corners of a cross-barred chase.n. In music, same as quarter-note.n. A distinct division of a surface or region; a particular region of a town, city, or country; a district; a locality: as, the Latin quarter of Paris; the Jews' quarter in Rome.n. Hence A position assigned or allotted; specific place; special location; proper position or station.n. More specifically— The proper stations of officers and men on a man-of-war in battle, in exercise, or on inspection: in the plural. The exercise of the guns, as in battle, is distinguished as general quarters.n. Place of lodging; temporary residence; shelter; entertainment: usually in the plural.n. A station or an encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodgment for officers and men: usually in the plural: as, they went into winter quarters. Compare headquarters.n. plural The cabins inhabited by the negroes on a plantation, in the period of slavery.n. [Appar. due to the phrase to keep quarter .] Peace; concord; amity.n. Friendly intercourse.n. To keep peace. Compare quarter.n. To make noise or disturbance: apparently an ironical use.To divide into four equal parts.To divide; separate into parts; cut to pieces.To divide into distinct regions or compartments.To furnish with lodgings, shelter, or entertainment; supply with temporary means of living; especially, to find lodgings and food for: as, to quarter soldiers on the inhabitants.To diet; feed.To furnish as portion; deal out; allot; share.In heraldry, to bear quarterly upon one's escutcheon: thus, a man quarters the arms of his father with those of his mother, if she has been an heiress.In machinery, to make wrist-pin holes in, 90° apart: said of locomotive driving-wheels.In sporting, to range or beat (the ground) for game: with indefinite it: said of hunting-dogs.To be stationed; remain in quarters; lodge; have a temporary residence.Nautical, to sail with the wind on the quarter.To shift; beat about; change position, so as to get advantage of an adversary.In sporting, to run back and forth in search of game, as if going about all quarters, as a dog in the field.To drive a carriage diagonally from side to side, so as to keep the wheels from entering the ruts.n. Indulgence or mercy shown to a vanquished enemy, in sparing his life and accepting his surrender; hence, in general, indulgence; clemency; mercy.n. Same as peg, 7.To enter into a new quarter, as the moon.
