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.

&fist; 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.

(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.

2. Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.

Swift to their several quarters hasted then
The cumbrous elements.

Hence, specifically: (a) (Naut.) A station at which officers and men are posted in battle; -- usually in the plural. (b) Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; -- usually in the plural.

The banter turned as to what quarters each would find.

(c) pl. (Mil.) A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters. (d) Treatment shown by an enemy; mercy; especially, the act of sparing the life a conquered enemy; a refraining from pushing one's advantage to extremes.

He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives.

Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.

3. Friendship; amity; concord. [Obs.] To keep quarter, to keep one's proper place, and so be on good terms with another. [Obs.]

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom.

I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves.

Quar"ter (kwär"t&etilde;r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quartered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quartering.] 1. To divide into four equal parts.

2. To divide; to separate into parts or regions.

Then sailors quartered heaven.

3. To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.

They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.

4. To furnish as a portion; to allot. [R.]

This isle . . .
He quarters to his blue-haired deities.

5. (Her.) To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.

&fist; When only two coats of arms are so combined they are arranged in four compartments. See Quarter, n., 1 (f).

Quar"ter (kwär"t&etilde;r), v. i. To lodge; to have a temporary residence.

Quar"ter, v. i. [F. cartayer.] To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.

Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering.

• Any one of four equal parts into which something has been divided.
  
• (United States and Canada): A coin worth 25 cents.
  
• A period of three consecutive months.
  
• A section or area (of a town, etc).
  
• An old English measure of corn, containing 8 bushels.
       Quotations
       *1882: One of these is 1 Hen. V, cap. 10, defining the quarter of corn to be eight struck bushels, and putting fines on purveyors who take more. — James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, p. 204.
  
• Mercy or pity shown to a defeated opponent (e.g. "We will give no quarter.")
  
• To divide into quarters.
  
• To provide housing for military personnel or other equipment.
        Quarter the horses in the third stable.