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

The baker’s quartern loaf is indeed cheaper in the country than at Kensington, by, probably, a penny in the loaf; which would still, however, leave a saving of 5s. upon the bushel of bread.

From Cottage Economy To Which Is Added The Poor Man's Friend by Cobbett, William

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

From The Great House by Weyman, Stanley John

I tasted it myself, because the municipality had made a great point of introducing it to the lower classes at twopence per quartern less than the first quality.

From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.

Well, say the best is a penny a quartern more—and the wife seems so satisfied because she thinks she is saving.

From Original Penny Readings A Series of Short Sketches by Fenn, George Manville

I asked what the trouble was, and was told the baker had refused to sell his half-quartern loaves under sevenpence, or his quartern loaves under a shilling.

From The Message by Brock, H. M. (Henry Matthew)

Related Words

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