quartern
Americannoun
noun
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a fourth part of certain weights or measures, such as a peck or a pound
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Also called: quartern loaf.
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a type of loaf 4 inches square, used esp for making sandwiches
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With the exception of a stone here and there—none of them larger than a quartern loaf—the sandy surface was perfectly smooth and level as a table.
From The Young Yagers A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa by Mayne Reid
The weight of a quartern loaf, before baking, should be four pounds fifteen ounces; after baking, four pounds six ounces, avoirdupois.
From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton
But I know that by nightfall you could not have purchased a quartern loaf for elevenpence halfpenny within ten miles of Charing Cross.
From The Message by H. M. (Henry Matthew) Brock
When Ben heard that, he gave his trousers one hitch, and calls for a quartern, drinks it off with a sigh, and leaves the house, believing it all to be true.
From Jacob Faithful by Frederick Marryat
"Now for a bite o' bread and butter," said Mother, sawing away at a quartern loaf.
From The Sailor by J. C. Snaith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
