How Do You Spell QUARTER?

Pronunciation: [kwˈɔːtə] (IPA)

The word 'quarter' is an example of English orthography that doesn't follow the phonetic rules. The phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈkwɔːtə(r)/. In the IPA, the 'a' should be pronounced with an "aw" as in "law" sound, but in the word 'quarter' it is pronounced with an "or" as in "door" sound, which makes the spelling inconsistent with its pronunciation. Despite this, 'quarter' remains a common word that is used to refer to a fourth part of something or a 25-cent coin.

QUARTER Meaning and Definition

  1. Quarter has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. As a noun, it typically refers to a unit of measurement or a division of something into four equal parts. For instance, in terms of time, it represents a period of three months, typically used in business or financial contexts. The corporate world often reports financial results on a quarterly basis, meaning every three months. In relation to academic seasons, it refers to each of the four periods into which a school or college year is divided.

    Furthermore, quarter can refer to a quarter of a dollar, which amounts to twenty-five cents. This monetary denomination plays a significant role in various currencies, especially in countries where “quarter” is the common term for such a coin. The term can also be extended to refer to any of various coins or tokens equivalent to one-fourth of the value of the basic monetary unit.

    Additionally, quarter can represent a part, portion, or fraction of something. In this sense, it refers to a section, fourth, or division, commonly used for purposes of organization or distribution. For instance, one might "break a cookie into quarters" or "divvy up the pizza into quarters" to ensure equitable distribution.

    As a verb, to quarter means to divide or to distribute into four parts. This usage is commonly associated with acts like slicing food or logically organizing information into four equal sets or components.

  2. The lateral part of the wall of the hoof in the horse.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • The fourth part of anything; a weight of 28 lb. avoirdupois; a measure of capacity of 8 bushels; a point of the compass; a region; a territory; a particular portion or district of a town, city, &c.; proper station; in mil., mercy granted by a conqueror to his enemy; a part or side of a thing; the part of the side of a shoe from the heel to the vamp; the part of a ship's side lying towards the stern; the fourth part of the year; one limb of a quadruped with adjacent parts.
    • Military stations; lodgings or residence; in R. N., the stations or places assigned on duty or in action; in building, those slight upright pieces of timber placed between the puncheons and posts used to lath upon.
    • To divide into four equal parts; to separate into parts; in mil., to station for lodgings; to have a temporary residence.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for QUARTER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for QUARTER

Etymology of QUARTER

The word quarter originated from the Old French word quartier, which can be traced back to the Latin term quartarius. In Latin, quartarius referred to a fourth part, which was derived from quartus, meaning fourth. Over time, the term evolved and was adopted into Old English as cweortern, which later became quart, and eventually evolved into the modern English word quarter.

Idioms with the word QUARTER

  • grant sm no quarter The idiom "grant someone no quarter" means to show no mercy or to refuse to give any concessions or advantages to someone. It originates from the military term "no quarter," which indicates that no mercy will be shown to the enemy and no prisoners will be taken.
  • draw and quarter The idiom "draw and quarter" refers to a punishment method commonly used in the past, especially during the medieval period. It involves forcibly pulling apart a person's limbs or body by attaching ropes or chains to their arms and legs and then pulling them in different directions. Consequently, it is often used metaphorically to describe a severe punishment, extreme disunity, or being torn apart by conflicting forces.
  • a bad quarter of an hour The idiom "a bad quarter of an hour" refers to a brief and unpleasant period of time, usually characterized by anxiety, distress, or unpleasantness. It signifies a situation that causes discomfort or difficulty for someone, often related to an encounter, confrontation, or event.
  • be given no quarter The idiom "be given no quarter" means to be shown no mercy or to be granted no leniency in a difficult or challenging situation. It originated from the military practice of not giving quarter, or not showing mercy, to defeated enemies during battle. In a broader sense, it refers to being treated harshly or without compassion in any circumstance.
  • grant (someone) no quarter The idiom "grant (someone) no quarter" means to show no mercy or to refuse to allow someone any leniency or mercy, particularly in a competitive or confrontational situation. It originates from military terminology, where "quarter" refers to the act of sparing the lives of captured enemies. Thus, "granting no quarter" implies not providing any mercy or reprieve to one's opponents.
  • (a) quarter of (a given hour in time) The idiom "(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)" refers to a segment of time that corresponds to 15 minutes out of a full hour. It can also represent a specific time measurement, such as 15 minutes before or after the hour.
  • quarter past (a given hour in time) The idiom "quarter past (a given hour in time)" refers to a time that is 15 minutes past a particular hour on the clock. It is used to indicate the time more precisely than simply stating the hour.
  • give (someone) no quarter The idiom "give (someone) no quarter" means to show no mercy or to provide no leniency to someone, especially in a conflict or competition. It suggests a complete refusal to compromise or grant any respite or advantage to the opponent. It often implies a relentless or ruthless approach in dealing with someone or a situation.
  • be no quarter given The idiom "be no quarter given" means that there will be no mercy or leniency shown towards someone, typically in a confrontational or hostile situation. It implies that the situation or conflict will be fought without any compromise or forgiveness.
  • granted no quarter The idiom "granted no quarter" means to show no mercy, kindness, or leniency to someone. It originates from a military term where "quarter" referred to a place of refuge or mercy given to the defeated enemy. If someone "grants no quarter," it indicates their refusal to offer any compassion or mercy in a situation.
  • cry quarter

Similar spelling words for QUARTER

Conjugate verb Quarter

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have quartered
you would have quartered
he/she/it would have quartered
we would have quartered
they would have quartered
I would have quarter
you would have quarter
he/she/it would have quarter
we would have quarter
they would have quarter

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been quartering
you would have been quartering
he/she/it would have been quartering
we would have been quartering
they would have been quartering

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would quarter
you would quarter
he/she/it would quarter
we would quarter
they would quarter

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be quartering
you would be quartering
he/she/it would be quartering
we would be quartering
they would be quartering

FUTURE

I will quarter
you will quarter
he/she/it will quarter
we will quarter
they will quarter

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be quartering
you will be quartering
he/she/it will be quartering
we will be quartering
they will be quartering

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have quartered
you will have quartered
he/she/it will have quartered
we will have quartered
they will have quartered

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been quartering
you will have been quartering
he/she/it will have been quartering
we will have been quartering
they will have been quartering

IMPERATIVE

you quarter
we let´s quarter

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to quarter

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was quartering
you were quartering
he/she/it was quartering
we were quartering
they were quartering

PAST PARTICIPLE

quartered

PAST PERFECT

I had quartered
you had quartered
he/she/it had quartered
we had quartered
they had quartered

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been quartering
you had been quartering
he/she/it had been quartering
we had been quartering
they had been quartering

PRESENT

I quarter
you quarter
he/she/it quarters
we quarter
they quarter

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am quartering
you are quartering
he/she/it is quartering
we are quartering
they are quartering

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

quartering

PRESENT PERFECT

I have quartered
you have quartered
he/she/it has quartered
we have quartered
they have quartered

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been quartering
you have been quartering
he/she/it has been quartering
we have been quartering
they have been quartering

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it quarter

SIMPLE PAST

I quartered
you quartered
he/she/it quartered
we quartered
they quartered

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