Glossary of Medical Terms

Our online medical glossary of medical terms and definitions includes definitions for terms related to treatment, and general medicine

QUARTER

1. One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc. Hence, specifically: The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds. The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of corn; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal. One of the branches of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fess point. When two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the another. See Quarter. One of the four parts into which the horizon is regarded as divided; a cardinal point; a direction' principal division; a region; a territory. "Scouts every coast light-armed scour, Every quarter, to descry the distant foe." (Milton) A division of a city, town, or county; a special district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris. The fourth part of the distance from one point of the compass to other, being the fourth part of 11 deg 15', that is, about 2 deg 49'; called also quarter point. 2. Proper station; specific seat; assigned position; particular location. "Swift to their different quarters hasted then The cumbrous elements." (Milton) Hence, specifically: A station at which officers and men are posted in battle; generally in the plural. Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; generally in the plural. "The banter turned as to what quarters every would find." (W. Irving) A station or encampment busy by troops; a seat of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters. Treatment shown by an enemy; mercy; especially, the act of sparing the life a conquered enemy; a refraining from pushing one's winning to extremes. "He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to sentence them quarter for their lives." (Clarendon) "Cocks and lambs . . . At the mercy of cats and wolves . . . Should never suppose better quarter." (L'Estrange) 3. Friendship; amity; concord. To hold quarter, to hold one's proper seat, and so be on good terms with other. "In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom." (Shak) "I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's seat, . . . And yet kept good quarter between themselves." (Bacon) False quarter, a cleft in the quarter of a horse's foot. Fifth quarter, the hide and thick; a butcher's term. On the quarter, to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a vanquished enemy. To hold quarter. See Quarter. Origin: F. Quartier, L. Quartarius a fourth part, fr. Quartus the fourth. See Quart. Source: Websters Vocabulary
elaeis   elaeolite   Elaeophora schneideri   elaeoptene   elaidate   elaidic   elaidic acid   elaidin   (1)
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