quarterly [kwawr-ter-lee] Word Origin adjective
- occurring, done, paid, issued, etc., at the end of every quarter of a year: a quarterly report; quarterly interest.
- pertaining to or consisting of a quarter.
noun, plural quar·ter·lies.
- a periodical issued every three months.
adverb
- by quarters; once each quarter of a year: The bank pays interest quarterly.
- Heraldry.
Origin of quarterly late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at quarter, -ly British Dictionary definitions for quarterlies’ quarterly adjective
- occurring, done, paid, etc, at intervals of three months
- of, relating to, or consisting of a quarter
noun plural -lies
- a periodical issued every three months
adverb
- once every three months
- heraldry into or in quartersa shield divided quarterly
Word Origin and History for quarterlies’ quarterly adv.
early 15c., from quarter (n.) + -ly (2). As an adjective from 1560s, from -ly (1). As a noun, from 1830, “a quarterly publication,” from the adjective.