Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Quartered Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

📏
Add to dictionary

quartered

[ˈkwɔːrtərd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

divided area

Quartered refers to something that is divided into four parts or sections. It can also describe the arrangement of living quarters in military or residential contexts.

Synonyms

divided, partitioned, segmented.

Examples of usage

  • The land was quartered for agriculture.
  • The soldier was assigned to a quartered area.
  • The map showed the city quartered into different districts.
Context #2 | Verb

to cut into four

To quarter means to divide something into four equal parts. This verb form can also denote the process of preparing food, especially meat, for cooking.

Synonyms

cut, divide, slice.

Examples of usage

  • He quartered the apple before serving it.
  • The chef quartered the chicken for the stew.
  • They quartered the large pizza for easier sharing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • In medieval times, 'quartered' referred to the practice of dividing lands and titles among heirs.
  • When a person was convicted of treason, they might face 'quartering' as a punishment, which involved being drawn and quartered.
  • The coat of arms of a knight could be 'quartered' to represent their family's alliances and history.

Geography

  • In some historical maps, cities were 'quartered' to delineate various districts or areas.
  • Many major cities around the world have 'quarters', such as the French Quarter in New Orleans, where cultural identity is celebrated.
  • During town planning, regions can be quartered for better organization, such as residential, commercial, educational, and recreational areas.

Art & Literature

  • In poetry, the concept of being 'quartered' might symbolize division or conflict, often used to express emotional struggles.
  • Famous artworks sometimes depict themes of division, such as a piece showing a heart 'quartered' to signify heartbreak.
  • Shakespeare often used the idea of being 'quartered' in his plays to describe characters who are torn between conflicting loyalties.

Science

  • In biology, animals can be 'quartered' during dissections to study their internal systems.
  • Gardening techniques may involve 'quartering' an area to plan how to grow different types of plants efficiently.
  • In geometry, a circle can be quartered to easily calculate its area and provide benchmarks for measurements.

Origin of 'quartered'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'quartered' comes from the Middle English word 'quarter', which means one-fourth.
  • It has roots in the Old French word 'quartier', stemming from Latin 'quartus' meaning 'fourth'.
  • Originally, to be 'quartered' meant to be divided into fourths for measurements or allocation.

The word 'quartered' comes from the Middle English term 'quartren', which evolved from the Old French 'quarte', meaning 'a fourth'. This is linked to the Latin root 'quartus', which also means 'fourth'. The practice of quartering dates back to ancient times, where dividing land, goods, or even people into four parts was common for legal, agricultural, and military purposes. In military terminology, 'quartered' refers to the assignment of living spaces for soldiers, derived from the need to organize and house troops effectively. Over time, this term has expanded into food preparation and general usage to describe anything divided into quarters.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,977, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.