quartern
[kwawr-tern]
- a quarter, or a fourth part, especially of certain weights and measures, as of a pound, ounce, peck, or pint.
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Origin of quartern
1250–1300; Middle English quartroun, quartron, quartern < Old French quarteron, derivative of quart fourth. See quart1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for quartern
Historical Examples
"Half a quartern," stammered the boy, in a frightened voice.
What the Moon Saw: and Other TalesHans Christian Andersen
On March 5, 1801, the price of the quartern loaf stood as high as 1s.
The Political History of England - Vol XIGeorge Brodrick
He recollects the quartern loaf at 2¼d., primest meat at 1d.
Drink—well, suppose a gentleman does take his quartern, is it a crime?
No Defense, CompleteGilbert Parker
A quartern is a quarter of a gill, which is about the “dash” of rum.
Stage-coach and Tavern DaysAlice Morse Earle
quartern
- a fourth part of certain weights or measures, such as a peck or a pound
- Also called: quartern loaf British
- a type of loaf 4 inches square, used esp for making sandwiches
- any loaf weighing 1600 g when baked
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French quarteron, from quart a quarter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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