/ ˈkwɔːtə(r); NAmE ˈkwɔːrt-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1 OF 4 PARTS
1.
(also fourth especially in NAmE ) [ C ] one of four equal parts of sth :
a quarter of a mile
The programme lasted an hour and a quarter.
Cut the apple into quarters.
The theatre was about three quarters full.
➡ note at half
15 MINUTES
2.
[ C ] a period of 15 minutes either before or after every hour :
It's (a) quarter to four now—I'll meet you at (a) quarter past.
( NAmE also)
It's quarter of four now—I'll meet you at quarter after.
3 MONTHS
3.
[ C ] a period of three months, used especially as a period for which bills are paid or a company's income is calculated
PART OF TOWN
4.
[ C , usually sing. ] a district or part of a town :
the Latin quarter
the historic quarter of the city
PERSON / GROUP
5.
[ C ] a person or group of people, especially as a source of help, information or a reaction :
Support for the plan came from an unexpected quarter.
The news was greeted with dismay in some quarters .
25 CENTS
6.
[ C ] a coin of the US and Canada worth 25 cents
ROOMS TO LIVE IN
7.
quarters [ pl. ] rooms that are provided for soldiers, servants, etc. to live in :
We were moved to more comfortable living quarters .
married quarters
OF MOON
8.
[ C ] the period of time twice a month when we can see a quarter of the moon :
The moon is in its first quarter.
IN SPORT
9.
[ C ] one of the four periods of time into which a game of American football is divided
WEIGHT
10.
[ C ] ( BrE ) a unit for measuring weight, a quarter of a pound; 4 ounces
11.
[ C ] a unit for measuring weight, 28 pounds in the UK or 25 pounds in the US; a quarter of a hundredweight
PITY
12.
[ U ] ( old-fashioned or literary ) pity that sb shows towards an enemy or opponent who is in their power
SYN mercy :
His rivals knew that they could expect no quarter from such a ruthless adversary.
•
IDIOMS
see close (II) adjective
■ verb
[ vn ]
DIVIDE INTO 4
1.
to cut or divide sth into four parts :
She peeled and quartered an apple.
PROVIDE ROOMS
2.
( formal ) to provide sb with a place to eat and sleep :
The soldiers were quartered in the town.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French quartier , from Latin quartarius fourth part of a measure, from quartus fourth, from quattuor four.