quarter
1. quar.ter \'kwo.(r)t-*r\ n [ME, fr. OF quartier, fr. L quartarius, fr.
quartus fourth] 1: one of four equal parts into which something is
divisible : a fourth p art 2: any of various units of capacity or weight
equal to or derived from one fourth of some larger unit 3: any of various
units of length or area equal to one fourth of some large r unit 4: the
fourth part of a measure of time : as 4a: one of a set of four 3-month
divisions of a calendar or fiscal year 4b: a school term of about 12 weeks
5a: a coin worth a quarter of a dollar 5b: the sum of 25 cents 6: one
limb of quadruped with the adjacent parts; esp : one fourth part of the
carcass of a slaughtered animal including a leg 7a: the region or direction
lying under any of the four divisions of the ho rizon 7b: one of the four
parts into which the horizon is divided or the cardinal point
corresponding to it 7c: a compass point or direction other than the
cardinal points 7d1: a person or group not definitely specified 7d2: a
point, direction, or place not identified 8a: a division or district of a
town or city 8b: the inhabitants of such a quarter 9a: an assigned
station or post pl 9b: an assembly of a ship's company for ceremony,
drill, or emergency pl 9c: living accommodations : LODGINGS 10: MERCY,
CONSIDERATION; esp : the clemency of not kil ling a defeated enemy 11: a
fourth part of the moon's period 12: the side of a horse's hoof between
the toe and the heel 13a: any of the four parts into which a heraldic
field is divided 13b: a bearing or charge occupying the first fourth part
of a heraldic fiel d 14: the state of two machine parts that are exactly at
right angles to one another or are spaced about a circle so as to subtend
a right angle at the center of the circle 15a: the stern area of a ship's
side 15b: the part of the yardarm outside of the slings 16: one side of
the upper of a shoe or boot from heel to vamp 17: one of the four equal
periods into which the playing time of some games is divided : at close
range or in immediate contact - at close quarters
2. quarter vt 1a: to divide into four equal or nearly equal parts 1b: to
separate into either more or fewer than four parts {~ an or ange} archaic
1c: to divide (a human body) into four parts 2: to provide with lodging or
shelter 3: to crisscross (an area) in many directions 4a: to arrange or
bear (as different coats of arms) quarterly on one escut cheon 4b: to add
(a coat of arms) to others on one escutcheon 5: to adjust or locate (as
cranks) at right angles in a machine 1: to occupy a residence : LODGE 2:
to crisscross a district 3: to change from one quarter to another {the
moon ~s} 4: to strike a ship's quarter {the wind ~s}
3. quarter aj : consisting of or equal to a quarter
Webster's English Dictionary