quartering Definition

quarter
noun

1a. One of four equal parts that an object or quantity is or can be divided into;
1b. (often written ¼) the number one when it is divided by four.
2. Any of the three-month divisions of the year, especially one that begins or ends on a quarter day.
(N Amer)
3a. 25 cents, ie quarter of a dollar;
(N Amer)
3b. A coin of this value.
4a. A period of 15 minutes;
4b. A point of time 15 minutes after or before any hour.
5a. astron.
A fourth part of the Moon's cycle;
5b. astron.
Either of the two phases of the Moon when half its surface is lit and visible at the point between the first and second and the third and fourth quarters of its cycle.
6. Any of the four main compass directions; any direction.
7. A district of a city, etc.

Example: the Spanish quarter
Thesaurus: neighbourhood, area, territory, region, sector, section, zone.
8. A section of the public or society, etc; certain people or a certain person.

Example: no sympathy from that quarter
Form: quarters (also)
9. Lodgings or accommodation, eg for soldiers and their families.

Example: married quarters
Thesaurus: lodgings, accommodation, residence, habitation, billets; apartment, flat, house, pied-à-terre.
Form: quarters
10a. In the imperial system: a unit of weight equal to a quarter of a hundredweight, ie (Brit) 28lbs or (US) 25lbs;
(Brit)
10b. colloq
In the imperial system :4 ozs or a quarter of a pound;
(Brit)
10c. In the imperial system :a unit of measure for grain equal to eight bushels.
11a. Any of the four sections that an animal's or bird's carcass is divided into, each section having a leg or a wing;
11b. historical
The four similar sections that a human body was divided into, especially after execution for treason.
Form: quarters
12. Mercy that is shown or offered, eg to a defeated enemy, etc.

Example: give no quarter
Thesaurus: mercy, compassion, clemency, pity, forbearance.
13a. heraldry.
Any of the four sections of a shield which are formed by two perpendicular horizontal and vertical lines;
13b. heraldry.
A device that occupies one of these sections in the upper third of a shield.
14. sport , especially Amer football & Austral Rules football.
Any of the four equal periods that a game is divided into.
15. naut.
The side of a ship's hull that is between amidships and astern.

verb quartered, quartering

1. To divide something into quarters.
2a. To accommodate or billet (troops, etc) in lodgings;

Thesaurus: lodge, accommodate, shelter, board, house, put up, billet.
2b. Said especially of military personnel: to be accommodated or billeted in lodgings.
3. historical
To divide (the body of a hanged traitor, etc) into four parts, each with a limb.
4a. heraldry.
To divide (a shield) into quarters using one horizontal and one vertical line;
4b. heraldry.
To fill (each quarter of a shield) with bearings;
4c. heraldry.
To add (someone else's coat of arms) to one's own hereditary arms.
5. Said of a hunting dog or a bird of prey: to cross and recross (an area) searching for game.

Etymology: 13c: from French quartier, from Latin quartarius a fourth part.

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quartering
noun

1. heraldry.
The coats of arms displayed on a shield to indicate family alliances.
Form: quarterings (usually)
2. The provision of quarters for soldiers.
3. Division into quarters.