quartern

American  

[kwawr-tern] / ˈkwɔr tərn /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a quarter, or a fourth part, especially of certain weights and measures, as of a pound, ounce, peck, or pint.

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quartern British  

/ ˈkwɔːtən /

noun

1. a fourth part of certain weights or measures, such as a peck or a pound

2. Also called: quartern loaf. 

   1. a type of loaf 4 inches square, used esp for making sandwiches

   2. any loaf weighing 1600 g when baked

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Etymology

Origin of quartern

1250–1300; Middle English quartroun, quartron, quartern < Old French quarteron, derivative of quart fourth. See quart ¹

Example Sentences

As if all the speeches of all the fools in Staffordshire would lower the quartern loaf!

From Project Gutenberg

We have seen in some churches piles of fruit and vegetables that would furnish a shop, in addition to sheaves of corn and stacks of quartern loaves.

From Project Gutenberg

This John Bull is hacked to make a Corsican and Yankee holiday, taxed at the bayonet's point, starved on bread at eighteenpence the quartern, and offered up as a sacrifice to a Bourbon "Bumble-head."

From Project Gutenberg

"Now for a bite o' bread and butter," said Mother, sawing away at a quartern loaf.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be stated roundly that an average quartern loaf in Great Britain is made from wheat grown in the following countries in the proportions named:— U.S.A.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fourth
• one-fourth
• part
• portion
• term