quartet

American  

[kwawr-tet] / kwɔrˈtɛt /

especially British, quartette

noun

1. any group of four persons or things.

2. an organized group of four singers or players.

3. a musical composition for four voices or instruments.

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quartet British  

/ kwɔːˈtɛt /

noun

1. a group of four singers or instrumentalists or a piece of music composed for such a group See string quartet

2. any group of four

   a quartet of fast bowlers

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quartet Cultural  

1. A group of four musicians or singers; also, a piece of music for four instruments or voices.

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Etymology

Origin of quartet

1765–75; < Italian quartetto, diminutive of quarto < Latin quartus fourth

Example Sentences

Japan's quartet of talented riders will also be in the mix.

From BBC

Animal Collective is among the most important indie-rock bands of the 21st century, and yet the quartet never fit neatly within the genre.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also needed a countertenor to round out their quartet—and Darshan, already a viral sensation in India, was the best person for the job.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Reid’s own quartet occupies similar aesthetic space, into which it leaps on “dance! skip! hop!”

From The Wall Street Journal

She might still turn up, but I’m thinking the field belongs to the quartet of women from best picture nominees plus the undeniable, unrecognizable turn from Madigan in “Weapons.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assemblage
• band
• cast
• choir
• chorus
• orchestra
• quintet
• sextet
• trio
• troupe