quartern

[ kwawr-tern ]

/ ˈkwɔr tərn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for quartern on Thesaurus.com

noun Chiefly British.

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

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of quartern

1250–1300; Middle English quartroun, quartron, quartern<Old French quarteron, derivative of quart fourth. See quart¹

Words nearby quartern

quarterly, quartermaster, Quartermaster Corps, quartermaster general, quarter-miler, quartern, quarter nelson, quarter note, quarter-phase, quarter plate, quarter point

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quartern in a sentence

You cannot put a quartern loaf into a child's head; you must break it up, and give him the crumb in warm milk.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
To think of her father not having the price of an early pint, or a quartern of cool refreshing gin!
The English Stage|Augustin Filon
We stopped again at The Nightingale, and had half-a-quartern of whisky each.
Days and Nights in London|J. Ewing Ritchie
If you consume half a bushel a week, that is to say about a quartern loaf a day, this is a saving of 5l.
Cottage Economy|William Cobbett

On my way I called at a small corn-chandler's, and bought a quartern of flour done up in a thin and utterly insufficient bag.
The Uninhabited House|Mrs. J. H. Riddell

British Dictionary definitions for quartern

quartern

/ (ˈkwɔːtən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for quartern

C13: from Old French quarteron, from quart a quarter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

quartern

Origin of quartern

Words nearby quartern

Words related to quartern

How to use quartern in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quartern

Word Origin for quartern