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&prime, 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.
Milton. 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.
W. Irving. (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.
Clarendon.
Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.
L'Estrange. 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.
Shak.
I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between
themselves.
Bacon. False quarter, a cleft in the quarter of a horse's foot. — Fifth quarter, the hide and fat; — a butcher's
term. — On the quarter (Naut.), in a direction between abeam and astern; opposite, or nearly opposite,
a vessel's quarter. — Quarter aspect. (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate. - - Quarter back (Football),
the player who has position next behind center rush, and receives the ball on the snap back. — Quarter
badge (Naut.), an ornament on the side of a vessel near, the stern. Mar. Dict. — Quarter bill (Naut.),
a list specifying the different stations to be taken by the officers and crew in time of action, and the names
of the men assigned to each. — Quarter block (Naut.), a block fitted under the quarters of a yard
on each side of the slings, through which the clew lines and sheets are reeved. R. H. Dana, Jr. —
Quarter boat (Naut.), a boat hung at a vessel's quarter. — Quarter cloths (Naut.), long pieces
of painted canvas, used to cover the quarter netting. — Quarter day, a day regarded as terminating a
quarter of the year; hence, one on which any payment, especially rent, becomes due. In matters influenced
by United States statutes, quarter days are the first days of January, April, July, and October. In New
York and many other places, as between landlord and tenant, they are the first days of May, August,
November, and February. The quarter days usually recognized in England are 25th of March the 24th of
June the 29th of September and the 25th of December (Christmas Day). — Quarter face, in fine arts,
