quarter n.
Two bits. This in turn comes from the `pieces of eight' famed
in pirate movies -- Spanish silver crowns that could be broken
into eight pie-slice-shaped `bits' to make change. Early in
American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a
dollar, so each of these `bits' was considered worth 12.5 cents.
Syn. tayste, crumb, quad. Usage:
rare. General discussion of such terms is under nybble.