I. ˈkwȯrt ə n, -wȯ(ə)t- adjective
Etymology: Middle English quarteyne, from Old French quartaine (in the phrase fievre quartaine quartan fever), from Latin quartana (in the phrase febris quartana quartan fever), feminine of quartanus of the fourth, from quartus fourth + -anus -an
: occurring every fourth day reckoning inclusively ; specifically : recurring at approximately 72-hour intervals — used chiefly of malariae malaria
quartan chills and fever
— compare tertian
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English quarteyne, from Middle French quartaine, from Old French, from Latin quartana, from feminine of quartanus of the fourth
: an intermittent fever that recurs at approximately 72-hour intervals