quartern

quartern [kwawr-tern] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for quartern on Thesaurus.com noun Chiefly British.

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

Origin of quartern 1250–1300; Middle English quartroun, quartron, quartern Old French quarteron, derivative of quart fourth. See quart1 Related Words for quartern term, portion, part, fourth, division, span, section, semester, quad, quadrant, farthing, quartern Examples from the Web for quartern Historical Examples of quartern

“Half a quartern,” stammered the boy, in a frightened voice.

What the Moon Saw: and Other Tales

Hans Christian Andersen

On March 5, 1801, the price of the quartern loaf stood as high as 1s.

The Political History of England – Vol XI

George Brodrick

He recollects the quartern loaf at 2¼d., primest meat at 1d.

Portraits of Curious Characters in London, &c. &c.

Anonymous

Drink—well, suppose a gentleman does take his quartern, is it a crime?

No Defense, Complete

Gilbert Parker

A quartern is a quarter of a gill, which is about the “dash” of rum.

Stage-coach and Tavern Days

Alice Morse Earle

British Dictionary definitions for quartern quartern noun

1. a fourth part of certain weights or measures, such as a peck or a pound
2. Also called: quartern loaf British
   1. a type of loaf 4 inches square, used esp for making sandwiches
   2. any loaf weighing 1600 g when baked

Word Origin for quartern C13: from Old French quarteron, from quart a quarter