n. 1 a liquid measure equal to a quarter of a gallon; two pints. 2 a vessel containing this amount. 3 US a unit of dry measure, equivalent to one-thirty-second of a bushel (1.1 litre). 4 (also quarte) the fourth of eight parrying positions in fencing. a quart into a pint pot 1 a large amount etc. fitted into a small space. 2 something difficult or impossible to achieve.
[ ME f. OF quarte f. L quarta fem. of quartus fourth f. quattuor four ]