Quar'ter1, n.
n. [Fr. & Pr. quartier, It. quartiere, Sp. cuartel, from Lat. quartarius, a fourth part, from quartus, the fourth, from quatuor, four; Ger. quartier, D. kwartier, Dan. kvarteer, Sw. qvarter.]
Sense 1. One of four equal parts into which any thing is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; — hence, in specific uses, (a.) The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 28 or 25 pounds, according as the hundred-weight is reckoned at 112 or 100 pounds. (b.) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal. Hutton.
(c.) (Astron.) The fourth part of the moon’s period or monthly revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full. (d.) One limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the carcass of an animal, including a limb; — often used in composition; as, the fore-quarter, the hind-quarter. (e.) That part of a shoe which forms the side, from the heel to the vamp. (f.) (Far.) That part of a horse’s foot between the toe and heel, being the side of the coffin. (g.) A term of study in a seminary, college, &c.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter than this period. (h.) (pl.) (Mil.) The encampment on one of the principal passages round a place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. [Rare.] (i.) (Naut.) The part of a ship’s side which lies toward the stern, or the part between the aftmost end of the main-chains and the sides of the stern, where it is terminated by the quarter-pieces. (j.) (Her.) One of the divisions of a shield, when it is divided into four portions by horizontal and perpendicular lines meeting in the fesse point; especially, either of the two upper divisions thus made. (k.) One of the four parts into which the horizon is regarded as divided; a cardinal point; a principal division; a region; a territory.
Scouts each coast light armed scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. Milton.
(l.) A division of a town, county, or the like; a district; a locality. (m.) (Arch.) A small, upright timber post, used in partitions. (n.) (Navigation.) The fourth part of the distance from one point to another, being the fourth part of 11° 15′, that is, about 2° 49′; — called also quarter-point.
Sense 2. Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.
Swift to their several quarters hasted then The cumbrous elements. Milton.
Hence, specifically, (a.) (Naut.) A station at which officers and men are posted in battle; — chiefly used in the plural. Totten. (b.) Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; — usually in the plural.
The banter turned as to what quarters each would find. W. Irving.
(c.) (Mil.) A station or encampment occupied by troops; place of lodging for soldiers or officers. (d.) Hence, merciful treatment shown to an enemy; indulgence on the part of a conqueror or superior adversary; a refraining from pushing one’s advantage to the destruction of an opponent.
He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives, if they would give up the castle. Clarendon.
Lambs at the mercy of wolves must expect no quarter. L’Estrange.
Head-quarters (Mil.), the tent or mansion of the commander-in-chief of an army. — On the quarter (Naut.), in the direction of a point in the horizon considerably abaft the beam, but not in the direction of the stern. — Quarter-aspect (Astron.), the aspect of two planets situated in the zodiac and 90° apart. — Quarter-badge (Naut.), an ornament on the side of a ship near the stern, containing a window to the cabin, or the representation of a window. Mar. Dict. — Quarter-bill, a list containing the different stations where the officers and crew are to take post in time of action, and the names of the men assigned to each. — Quarter-block, a block fitted under the quarters of a yard on each side of the slings, to reeve the clew-lines and sheets through. Dana. — 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. — Quarter-face, a face turned away so that but one quarter is visible. — Quarter-gallery, a sort of balcony on the quarters of a ship. — Quarter-pieces (Naut.), one of several pieces of timber at the after part of the quarter-gallery, near the taffrail. Mar. Dict. — Quarter-point (Navigation), see No. 1 (n.) — Quarter-railing, or quarter-rails, narrow, molded planks, reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway, serving as a fence to the quarter-deck. — To give or show quarter to (Mil.), to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a beaten enemy; to admit to surrender.
