Quar"tane (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth.] (Chem.) Butane, each
molecule of which has four carbon atoms.
Quar*ta"tion (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth: cf. F. quartation. So
called because usually enough silver is added to make the amount of
gold in the alloyed button about one fourth.] (Chem. & Assaying) The
act, process, or result (in the process of parting) of alloying a
button of nearly pure gold with enough silver to reduce the fineness so
as to allow acids to attack and remove all metals except the gold; --
called also inquartation. Compare Parting.
||Quarte (?), n. [F.] Same as 2d Carte.
Quar"tene (?), n. [Ouartane + ethylene.] (Chem.) Same as Butylene.
Quar"ten*yl"ic (?), a. [Quartene + -yl + -ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to,
or designating, an acid of the acrylic acid series, metameric with
crotonic acid, and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from
having four carbon atoms in the molecule. Called also isocrotonic acid.
Quar"ter (?), n. [F. quartier, L. quartarius a fourth part, fr. quartus
the fourth. See Quart.] 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: (a) The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28
pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112
pounds. (b) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain;
as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal.
Hutton. (c) (Astron.) The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly
revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full. (d) One
limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the
carcass of a slaughtered animal, including a leg; as, the fore
quarters; the hind quarters. (e) That part of a boot or shoe which
forms the side, from the heel to the vamp. (f) (Far.) That part on
either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, being the side
of the coffin. (g) A term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.;
properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter. (h)
pl. (Mil.) The encampment on one of the principal passages round a
place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. (i) (Naut.)
The after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent
with the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of the
slings. (j) (Her.) One of the divisions 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 other. See Quarter, v. t., 5.
(k) 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 each coast light-armed scour, Each quarter, to descry the
distant foe.
Milton.
(l) A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a
locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris. (m) (Arch.) A small upright
timber post, used in partitions; -- in the United States more commonly
called stud. (n) (Naut.) The fourth part of the distance from one point
of the compass to another, being the fourth part of 11∞ 15′, that
is, about 2∞ 49′; -- called also quarter point.