quarter

1.1. Mathematical fractions and proportions

One of four equal parts of a quantity, measurement, object, or whole.

Synonyms

• fourth
• one-fourth
• one-quarter
• fourth part
• twenty-five percent
• quartern

Examples

• She divided the chocolate into four equal pieces and gave each child a quarter.
• A quarter of the population participated in the survey.
• The recipe requires a quarter of a kilogram of flour.

Related Words

• fraction
• proportion
• division
• segment
• portion

1.2. A quarter of an hour

A period of fifteen minutes, representing one-fourth of an hour.

Synonyms

• fifteen minutes
• quarter-hour

Examples

• The meeting will begin in a quarter.
• We waited for a quarter of an hour before the train arrived.
• The clock showed a quarter past six.

Related Words

• minute
• hour
• time interval
• time unit

1.3. A three-month period of a year

One of the four divisions of a calendar or financial year, each lasting three months.

Synonyms

• quarter-year
• three-month period
• quarterly period

Examples

• The company's revenue increased significantly during the first quarter.
• The financial report compares sales from the previous quarter.
• The project is scheduled for completion within the next quarter.

Related Words

• trimester
• trimestre
• fiscal period
• financial period
• year

1.4. A division of a sports match

One of four periods into which certain sporting competitions, particularly basketball and American football, are divided.

Synonyms

• period
• game period
• playing period

Examples

• The home team scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
• The players returned to the court after the first quarter.
• The team struggled to maintain its lead during the final quarter.

Related Words

• half
• inning
• overtime
• match segment

1.5. A coin worth twenty-five cents

A United States or Canadian coin with a monetary value equal to one-fourth of a dollar.

Synonyms

• twenty-five-cent coin
• quarter-dollar
• 25-cent piece

Examples

• He inserted a quarter into the vending machine.
• She found a quarter underneath the sofa.
• The parking meter accepts quarters and other coins.

Related Words

• coin
• currency
• dollar
• nickel
• dime

2.1. Urban districts and neighborhoods

A defined section of a city or town that has a recognizable character, identity, or concentration of particular activities or communities.

Synonyms

• district
• neighborhood
• locality
• region
• barrio
• city district

Examples

• The historic quarter of the city attracts thousands of tourists every year.
• They rented an apartment in the Latin Quarter of Paris.
• The old commercial quarter is filled with traditional shops and restaurants.

Related Words

• borough
• precinct
• zone
• territory
• area

2.2. Specialized residential or commercial areas

A district associated with a particular population, occupation, business activity, or social function.

Synonyms

• enclave
• barrio
• medina
• ghetto
• kasbah

Examples

• The city's financial quarter contains many international banks.
• The old Jewish quarter preserves centuries of cultural heritage.
• The entertainment quarter becomes especially busy during weekends.

Related Words

• commercial district
• residential area
• business district
• cultural district
• industrial zone

3.1. Mercy toward defeated enemies

Merciful treatment or a decision not to kill, punish, or harm an opponent who has surrendered or been defeated.

Synonyms

• mercy
• clemency
• forbearance
• leniency
• pardon
• compassion

Antonyms

• ruthlessness
• mercilessness
• pitilessness
• extermination

Examples

• The defeated soldiers begged their captors for quarter.
• The commander refused to give quarter to the enemy forces.
• The surrendering troops hoped that their opponents would show them quarter.

Related Words

• amnesty
• reprieve
• forgiveness
• magnanimity
• reprisal

4.1. The rear section of a ship

The back or stern portion of a ship, particularly the area around its rear deck or structure.

Synonyms

• stern
• poop
• after part
• rear

Examples

• The sailors gathered near the quarter of the vessel.
• The damage was concentrated around the ship's rear quarter.
• The officer inspected the stern and adjoining quarter of the ship.

Related Words

• aft
• tail
• transom
• ship's stern
• quarterdeck

5.1. Dividing objects or quantities into fourths

To cut, separate, or divide something into four parts, especially four equal sections.

Synonyms

• divide
• partition
• split
• bisect twice
• section
• subdivide

Antonyms

• combine
• unite
• join
• merge

Examples

• Quarter the apple before placing the pieces on the plate.
• The chef quartered the potatoes lengthwise.
• The map was quartered into four sections for easier analysis.

Related Words

• halve
• segment
• dissect
• cut
• separate

5.2. Dividing a body into four parts as an execution

To execute someone by tearing or cutting the body into four parts, historically using four horses attached to the limbs.

Synonyms

• draw and quarter
• dismember

Examples

• In medieval times, certain condemned prisoners were drawn and quartered.
• The historical account describes how the prisoner was quartered as a form of execution.

Related Words

• execute
• disembowel
• dismantle
• historical execution

6.1. Housing military personnel

To provide soldiers or other military personnel with assigned accommodation or temporary lodging.

Synonyms

• billet
• house
• lodge
• accommodate
• shelter
• station

Examples

• The local authorities quartered the soldiers in nearby villages.
• The troops were quartered in an abandoned school during the operation.
• The regiment was quartered at a military installation outside the city.

Related Words

• barrack
• assign
• house troops
• provide lodging
• garrison