quarter
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.one of four equal parts of something.
n.one of four equal parts into which something is or may be divided.
Simple“Cut the apple into quarters so everyone can have a piece.”
In context“The chef instructed the apprentice to divide the dough into quarters before weighing each portion to ensure consistency across the loaves.”
- 02 A1 Beginner
n.fifteen minutes past or before the hour; also a 25-cent coin in the US and Canada.
n.a period of fifteen minutes; additionally, a coin representing one-fourth of a dollar.
Simple“The train leaves at a quarter past four this afternoon.”
In context“He fumbled in his pocket for a quarter to pay the parking meter, but found only small copper coins.”
Synonymsfifteen minutes - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a period of three months, often used in business or school.
n.a three-month period in a financial or academic year.
Simple“The company reported its highest profits during the last quarter of the year.”
In context“The university's autumn quarter begins in late September, following the conclusion of the summer research session.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a specific part of a town or city.
n.a specific district or section of a city, often associated with a particular group or activity.
Simple“We spent the afternoon exploring the old French quarter of the city.”
In context“The diplomatic quarter is heavily guarded, housing most of the foreign embassies and international administrative offices.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a person or group where information or help comes from.
n.an unspecified person or group from whom help, information, or a reaction originates.
Simple“Support for the new law came from an unexpected quarter.”
In context“The proposal met with stiff resistance from certain quarters within the ministry, delaying the project by several months.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
n.mercy shown to an enemy who has been defeated.
n.mercy or leniency shown to a defeated opponent, especially the agreement to spare their life.
Simple“The soldiers were told to show no quarter to the invading army.”
In context“The rebels fought with the desperation of men who knew that no quarter would be granted should they surrender.”
- 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to cut or divide something into four equal pieces.
v.to divide a whole into four equal parts.
Simple“Quarter the potatoes before putting them in the boiling water.”
In context“The recipe requires you to quarter the citrus fruits and remove the seeds before blending them into a smooth paste.”
- 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to provide a place for someone to stay, especially soldiers.
v.to provide lodging or accommodation, particularly for military personnel.
Simple“The troops were quartered in local farmhouses during the winter.”
In context“The government was forced to quarter the displaced families in temporary shelters until the floodwaters receded.”
Synonyms
Usage quarter of a million · quarter of a century · quarter with total
From Middle English quarter, from Anglo-Norman quarter, from Latin quartarius, from quartus. Compare Spanish cuarto (“room, quarters; quarter”). Doublet of quartier.
Borrowed from French cartayer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.