Meaning of Word:
refers to one-fourth of something, a specific area or section, or a 15-minute segment of an hour. It can also denote accommodations or mercy shown in certain contexts.
Definitions and Meaning in English:
- As a noun:
- One of four equal parts of something.
- A coin worth one-fourth of a dollar in certain currencies (e.g., the U.S.).
- A specific part of a city, often associated with a group or purpose (e.g., the French Quarter).
- A term for 15 minutes when measuring time (e.g., a quarter past two).
- Accommodations, especially for military personnel.
- As a verb:
- To divide into four equal parts.
- To provide lodging or shelter.
History and Origin:
The word “quarter” derives from the Latin quartus, meaning “fourth.” It entered Middle English from Old French quartier, meaning “fourth part” or “district.” Over time, its usage expanded to include geographical divisions, time measurements, and monetary denominations.
Detailed Explanation:
“Quarter” has diverse meanings depending on the context:
- Fraction: Refers to one-fourth of a whole, such as a quarter of a pie or a dollar.
- Time: Represents 15-minute intervals, dividing an hour into quarters.
- Location: Describes a section of a city, often associated with distinct characteristics (e.g., cultural quarters).
- Currency: In the U.S. and Canada, it is a coin worth 25 cents, one-fourth of a dollar.
- Military usage: Refers to living accommodations or shelter provided, especially for soldiers.
Example Sentences:
- She ate a quarter of the chocolate cake.
- It’s a quarter past eight in the morning.
- He paid for the soda using a quarter and a dime.
- They explored the historic French Quarter in New Orleans.
- Soldiers were provided with comfortable quarters during their stay.
- The basketball game consisted of four 12-minute quarters.
- The company’s earnings for the last quarter showed significant growth.
- They decided to quarter the fruit to share it equally among four people.
- The captain instructed the sailors to quarter in the nearby village.
Synonyms with Short Explanation:
- Fourth: Another term for one of four equal parts.
- Section: A part or subdivision of a whole.
- District: A specific area, often used for quarters in cities.
- Segment: A portion or division of something larger.
- Lodging: Temporary accommodation or housing.
Related Words with Short Explanation:
- Cent: A monetary unit; a quarter equals 25 cents.
- Half: Two equal parts of something; a quarter is half of a half.
- Trimester: A three-month period; similar to a fiscal quarter in business.
- Subdivision: The act of dividing something into smaller parts, like quarters.
- Interval: A segment of time, such as a quarter hour.
More Matches with Short Explanation:
- Semester: A six-month period, often compared to a quarter-year system in schools.
- Quadrant: One-fourth of a circle or area.
- Neighborhood: A residential area, similar to city quarters.
- Sector: A portion of a larger area, often used in city planning or military.
- Segment: A piece or portion, like quarters of an object or time.
Antonyms:
- Whole: The entirety, as opposed to one-fourth of something.
- Half: A larger division of two parts instead of four.
- Unity: A complete entity without divisions.
- Entirety: The complete amount or extent of something.
- Complete: Fully intact or unbroken into parts.
