quartern

[kwawr-tern]

noun

Chiefly British.

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

quartern

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartern¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartern¹

C13: from Old French quarteron, from quart a quarter

Example Sentences

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

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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.

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There is nothing for it," he replied in a tone of humility; "if I did not take a glass with every quartern, child of my soul, what would become of me?

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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."

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

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Related Words

• fourth 
• one-fourth www.thesaurus.com
• part 
• portion 
• term