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Q.

Q (kū), the seventeenth letter of the English alphabet, has but one sound (that of k), and is always followed by u, the two letters together being sounded like kw, except in some words in which the u is silent. See Guide to Pronunciation, § 249. Q is not found in Anglo-Saxon, cw being used instead of qu; as in cwic, quick; cwen, queen. The name (kū) is from the French ku, which is from the Latin name of the same letter; its form is from the Latin, which derived it, through a Greek alphabet, from the Phœnician, the ultimate origin being Egyptian.

Etymologically, q or qu is most nearly related to a (ch, tch), p, q, and wh; as in cud, quid, L. equus, ecus, horse, Gr. &?;, whence E. equine, hippic; L. quod which, E. what; L. aquila, E. eaqle; E. kitchen, OE. kichene, AS. cycene, L. coquina.

Qua (?), conj. [L., abl. of qui who.] In so far as; in the capacity or character of; as.

It is with Shelley's biographers qua biographers that we have to deal.
London Spectator.

Quab (?), n. [Cf. D. kwab eelpout, Dan. quabbe, G. quabbe, quappe, LG. quabbe a fat lump of flesh, and L. capito a kind of fish with a large head, fr. caput the head, also E. squab.] An unfledged bird; hence, something immature or unfinished. Ford.

Quab, v. i. See Quob, v. i.

Qua"-bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The American night heron. See under Night.

Qua"cha (?), n. (Zoöl.) The quagga.

Quack (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qvacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quacking.] [Of imitative origin; cf. D. kwaken, G. quacken, quaken, Icel. kvaka to twitter.]

1. To utter a sound like the cry of a duck.

2. To make vain and loud pretensions; to boast. " To quack of universal cures." Hudibras.

3. To act the part of a quack, or pretender.

Quack, n. 1. The cry of the duck, or a sound in imitation of it; a hoarse, quacking noise. Chaucer.

2. [Cf. Quacksalver.] A boastful pretender to medical skill; an empiric; an ignorant practitioner.

3. Hence, one who boastfully pretends to skill or knowledge of any kind not possessed; a charlatan.

Quacks political; quacks scientific, academical.
Carlyle.

Quack, a. Pertaining to or characterized by, boasting and pretension; used by quacks; pretending to cure diseases; as, a quack medicine; a quack doctor.

Quack"er*y (?), n.; pl. Quackeries (&?;). The acts, arts, or boastful pretensions of a quack; false pretensions to any art; empiricism. Carlyle.

Quack" grass` (?). (Bot.) See Quitch grass.

Quack"ish, a. Like a quack; boasting; characterized by quackery. Burke.

Quack"ism (?), n. Quackery. Carlyle.

Quac"kle (?), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Quackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quackling (?).] [Cf.Querken.] To suffocate; to choke. [Prov. Eng.]

Quack"sal*ver (?), n. [D. kwakzalver; cf. kwakzalven to quack or boast of one's salves. See Quack, Salve, n.] One who boasts of his skill in medicines and salves, or of the efficacy of his prescriptions; a charlatan; a quack; a mountebank. [Obs.] Burton.

{ Quad (?), Quade (?) }, a. [Akin to AS. cw&aemacr;d, cwead, dung, evil, G. kot, dung, OHG. quāt.] Evil; bad; baffling; as, a quade wind. [Obs.]

Sooth play, quad play, as the Fleming saith.
Chaucer.

Quad, n. (Print.) A quadrat.

Quad, n. (Arch.) A quadrangle; hence, a prison. [Cant or Slang]

||Quad"ra (?), n.; pl. Quadræ (#). [L., a square, the socle, a platband, a fillet.] (Arch.) (a) The plinth, or lowest member, of any pedestal, podium, water table, or the like. (b) A fillet, or listel.

Quad"ra*ble (?), a.[See Quadrate.] (Math.) That may be sqyared, or reduced to an equivalent square; -- said of a surface when the area limited by a curve can be exactly found, and expressed in a finite number of algebraic terms.

Quad`ra*ge*na"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadragenarius, fr. qyadrageni forty each.] Consisting of forty; forty years old.

Quad"ra*gene (?), n. [LL. quadragena, fr. L. quadrageni forty each, akin to quadraginta forty.] (R. C. Ch.) An indulgence of forty days, corresponding to the forty days of ancient canonical penance.

||Quad`ra*ges"i*ma (?), n. [L., fr. quadragesimus the fortieth, fr. quadraginta forty; akin to quattuor four. See Four.] (Eccl.) The forty days of fast preceding Easter; Lent.

Quadragesima Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, about forty days before Easter.

Quad`ra*ges"i*mal (?), a. [Cf. F. quadragésimal.] Belonging to Lent; used in Lent; Lenten.

Quad`ra*ges"i*mals (?), n. pl. Offerings formerly made to the mother church of a diocese on Mid- Lent Sunday.

Quad"ran`gle (?), n. [F., fr. L. quadrangulum; quattuor four + angulus an angle. See Four, and Angle a corner.]

1. (Geom.) A plane figure having four angles, and consequently four sides; any figure having four angles.

2. A square or quadrangular space or inclosure, such a space or court surrounded by buildings, esp. such a court in a college or public school in England.

Quad*ran"gu*lar (?), a. [Cf. F. quadrangulaire.] Having four angles, and consequently four sides; tetragonal. -- Quad*ran"gu*lar*ly, adv.

||Quad"rans (?), n.; pl. Quadrantes (#). [L.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A fourth part of the coin called an as. See 3d As, 2.

2. The fourth of a penny; a farthing. See Cur.

Quad"rant (?), n. [L. quadrans, -antis, a fourth part, a fourth of a whole, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrant, cadran. See Four, and cf. Cadrans.] 1. The fourth part; the quarter. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. (Geom.) The quarter of a circle, or of the circumference of a circle, an arc of 90°, or one subtending a right angle at the center.

3. (Anal. (Geom.) One of the four parts into which a plane is divided by the coördinate axes. The upper right-hand part is the first quadrant; the upper left-hand part the second; the lower left-hand part the third; and the lower right-hand part the fourth quadrant.

4. An instrument for measuring altitudes, variously constructed and mounted for different specific uses in astronomy, surveying, gunnery, etc., consisting commonly of a graduated arc of 90°, with an index or vernier, and either plain or telescopic sights, and usually having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing the vertical or horizontal direction.

Gunner's quadrant, an instrument consisting of a graduated limb, with a plumb line or spirit level, and an arm by which it is applied to a cannon or mortar in adjusting it to the elevation required for attaining the desired range. -- Gunter's quadrant. See Gunter's quadrant, in the Vocabulary. -- Hadley's quadrant, a hand instrument used chiefly at sea to measure the altitude of the sun or other celestial body in ascertaining the vessel's position. It consists of a frame in the form of an octant having a graduated scale upon its arc, and an index arm, or alidade pivoted at its apex. Mirrors, called the index glass and the horizon glass, are fixed one upon the index arm and the other upon one side of the frame, respectively. When the instrument is held upright, the index arm may be swung so that the index glass will reflect an image of the sun upon the horizon glass, and when the reflected image of the sun coincides, to the observer's eye, with the horizon as seen directly through an opening at the side of the horizon glass, the index shows the sun's altitude upon the scale; -- more properly, but less commonly, called an octant. -- Quadrant of altitude, an appendage of the artificial globe, consisting of a slip of brass of the length of a quadrant of one of the great circles of the globe, and graduated. It may be fitted to the meridian, and being movable round to all points of the horizon, serves as a scale in measuring altitudes, azimuths, etc.

Quad*ran"tal (?), a. [L. quadrantalis containing the fourth fourth part of a measure.] (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a quadrant; also, included in the fourth part of a circle; as, quadrantal space.

Quadrantal triangle, a spherical triangle having one side equal to a quadrant or arc of 90°. -- Quadrantal versor, a versor that expresses rotation through one right angle.

Quad*ran"tal, n. [L.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A cubical vessel containing a Roman cubic foot, each side being a Roman square foot; -- used as a measure.

2. A cube. [R.]

Quad"rat (?), n. [F. quadrat, cadrat. See Quadrate.] 1. (Print.) A block of type metal lower than the letters, -- used in spacing and in blank lines. [Abbrev. quad.]

2. An old instrument used for taking altitudes; -- called also geometrical square, and line of shadows.

Quad"rate (?), a. [L. quadratus squared, p. p. of quadrare to make four-cornered, to make square, to square, to fit, suit, from quadrus square, quattuor four. See Quadrant, and cf. Quadrat, Quarry an arrow, Square.] 1. Having four equal sides, the opposite sides parallel, and four right angles; square.

Figures, some round, some triangle, some quadrate.
Foxe.

2. Produced by multiplying a number by itself; square. " Quadrate and cubical numbers." Sir T. Browne.

3. Square; even; balanced; equal; exact. [Archaic] " A quadrate, solid, wise man." Howell.

4. Squared; suited; correspondent. [Archaic] " A generical description quadrate to both." Harvey.

Quadrate bone (Anat.), a bone between the base of the lower jaw and the skull in most vertebrates below the mammals. In reptiles and birds it articulates the lower jaw with the skull; in mammals it is represented by the malleus or incus.

Quad"rate (?), n. [L. quadratum. See Quadrate, a.] 1. (Geom.) A plane surface with four equal sides and four right angles; a square; hence, figuratively, anything having the outline of a square.

At which command, the powers militant
That stood for heaven, in mighty quadrate joined.
Milton.

2. (Astrol.) An aspect of the heavenly bodies in which they are distant from each other 90°, or the quarter of a circle; quartile. See the Note under Aspect, 6.

3. (Anat.) The quadrate bone.

Quad"rate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quadrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrating.] [See Quadrate, a.] To square; to agree; to suit; to correspond; -- followed by with. [Archaic]

The objections of these speculatists of its forms do not quadrate with their theories.
Burke.

Quad"rate, v. t. To adjust (a gun) on its carriage; also, to train (a gun) for horizontal firing.

Quad*rat"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. quadratique.]

1. Of or pertaining to a square, or to squares; resembling a quadrate, or square; square.

2. (Crystallog.) Tetragonal.

3. (Alg.) Pertaining to terms of the second degree; as, a quadratic equation, in which the highest power of the unknown quantity is a square.

Quad*rat"ics (?), n. (Alg.) That branch of algebra which treats of quadratic equations.

Quad*ra`to*ju"gal (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Of or pertaining to the quadrate and jugal bones. (b) Of or pertaining to the quadratojugal bone. -- n. The quadratojugal bone.

Quadratojugal bone (Anat.), a bone at the base of the lower jaw in many animals.

Quad*ra"trix (?), n.; pl. -trixes (#), or -trices (#). [NL.] (Geom.) A curve made use of in the quadrature of other curves; as the quadratrix, of Dinostratus, or of Tschirnhausen.

Quad"ra*ture (?), n. [L. quadratura: cf. F. quadrature. See Quadrate, a.] 1. (Math.) The act of squaring; the finding of a square having the same area as some given curvilinear figure; as, the quadrature of a circle; the operation of finding an expression for the area of a figure bounded wholly or in part by a curved line, as by a curve, two ordinates, and the axis of abscissas.

2. A quadrate; a square. Milton.

3. (Integral Calculus) The integral used in obtaining the area bounded by a curve; hence, the definite integral of the product of any function of one variable into the differential of that variable.

4. (Astron.) The position of one heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90°, or a quarter of a circle, as the moon when at an equal distance from the points of conjunction and opposition.

Quadrature of the moon (Astron.), the position of the moon when one half of the disk is illuminated. -- Quadrature of an orbit (Astron.), a point in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn through the empty focus of the orbit.

Quad"rel (?), n. [It. quadrello, LL. quadrellus, fr. L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.] 1. A square piece of turf or peat. [Prov. Eng.]

2. A square brick, tile, or the like.

Quad*ren"ni*al (?), a. [L. quadriennium a space of four years; quattuor four + annus year; cf. L. quadriennis. See Quadrate, and Annual.] 1. Comprising four years; as, a quadrennial period.

2. Occurring once in four years, or at the end of every four years; as, quadrennial games.

Quad*ren"ni*al*ly, adv. Once in four years.

||Quad*ren"ni*um (?), n. [NL. See Quadrennial.] A space or period of four years.

Quad"ri- (?). [L., from quattuor four. See Four.] A combining form meaning four, four times, fourfold; as, quadricapsular, having four capsules.

Quad`ri*ba"sic (?), a. [Quadri- + basic.] (Chem.) Same as Tetrabasic.

Quad"ri*ble (?), a. Quadrable. [R.]

Quad"ric (?), a. (Math.) Of or pertaining to the second degree.

Quad"ric, n. (a) (Alg.) A quantic of the second degree. See Quantic. (b) (Geom.) A surface whose equation in three variables is of the second degree. Spheres, spheroids, ellipsoids, paraboloids, hyperboloids, also cones and cylinders with circular bases, are quadrics.

Quad`ri*cap"su*lar (?), a. [Quadri- + capsular.] (Bot.) Having four capsules.

||Quad"ri*ceps (?), n. [NL., fr. L. qyattuor four + caput head.] (Anat.) The great extensor muscle of the knee, divided above into four parts which unite in a single tendon at the knee.

Quad`ri*cip"i*tal (?), n. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the quadriceps.

Quad"ri*corn (?), n. [See Quadricornous.] (Zoöl.) Any quadricornous animal.

Quad`ri*cor"nous (?), a. [Quadri- + L. cornu horn: cf. F. quadricorne.] (Zoöl.) Having four horns, or hornlike organs; as, a quadricornous beetle.

Quad`ri*cos"tate (?), a. [Quadri- + costate.] Having four ribs.

Quad`ri*den"tate (?), a. [Quadri- + dentate.] Having four teeth; as, a quadridentate leaf.

Quad`ri*en"ni*al (?), a. Same as Quadrennial.

Quad`ri*fa"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadrifarius fourfold, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrifarié. Cf. Multifarious.] Arranged in four rows or ranks; as, quadrifarious leaves. Loudon.

Quad"ri*fid (?), a. [L. quadrifidus; quattuor four + findere to cleave: cf. F. quadrifide.] Divided, or deeply cleft, into four parts; as, a quadrifid perianth; a quadrifid leaf.

{ Quad"ri*foil (?), Quad`ri*fo"li*ate (?), } a. [Quadri- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.) Four-leaved; having the leaves in whorls of four.

Quad`ri*fur"ca*ted (?), a. [Quadri- + furcated.] Having four forks, or branches.

||Quad*ri"ga (?), n.; pl. Quadrigæ (#). [L. See Quadrijugous.] (Rom. Antiq.) A car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast.

{ Quad`ri*gem"i*nal (?), Quad`ri*gem"i*nous (?), } a. [Quadri- + L. gemini twins.] Fourfold; having four similar parts, or two pairs of similar parts.

Quadrigeminal bodies (Anat.), two pairs of lobes, or elevations, on the dorsal side of the midbrain of most mammals; the optic lobes. The anterior pair are called the nates, and the posterior the testes.

Quad`ri*ge*na"ri*ous (?), a. [L. quadrigeni, quadringeni, four hundred each.] Consisting of four hundred.

Quad*rij"u*gate (?), a. Same as Quadrijugous.

Quad*rij"u*gous (?), a. [L. quadrijugus of a team of four; quattuor four + jugum yoke.] (Bot.) Pinnate, with four pairs of leaflets; as, a quadrijugous leaf.

Quad`ri*lat"er*al (?), a. [L. quadrilaterus: cf. F. quadrilatère, quadrilatéral. See Quadri- and Lateral.] Having four sides, and consequently four angles; quadrangular.

Quad`ri*lat"er*al, n. 1. (Geom.) A plane figure having four sides, and consequently four angles; a quadrangular figure; any figure formed by four lines.

2. An area defended by four fortresses supporting each other; as, the Venetian quadrilateral, comprising Mantua, Peschiera, Verona, and Legnano.

Complete quadrilateral (Geom.), the figure made up of the six straight lines that can be drawn through four points, A, B, C, I, the lines being supposed to be produced indefinitely.

Quad`ri*lat"er*al*ness, n. The property of being quadrilateral.

Quad`ri*lit"er*al (?), a. [Quadri- + literal.] Consisting of four letters.

Qua*drille" (?), n. [F. quadrille, n. fem., fr. Sp. cuadrilla meeting of four or more persons or It. quadriglia a band of soldiers, a sort of dance; dim. fr. L. quadra a square, fr. quattuor four. See Quadrate.] 1. A dance having five figures, in common time, four couples of dancers being in each set.

2. The appropriate music for a quadrille.

Qua*drille", n. [F. quadrille, n. masc., cf. It. quadriglio; or perhaps from the Spanish. See Quadrille a dance.] A game played by four persons with forty cards, being the remainder of an ordinary pack after the tens, nines, and eights are discarded. Hoyle.

Quad*ril"lion (?), n. [F., fr. L. quater four times, akin to quattuor four, E. four; -- formed like million. See Four, Million.] According to the French notation, which is followed also upon the Continent and in the United States, a unit with fifteen ciphers annexed; according to the English notation, the number produced by involving a million to the fourth power, or the number represented by a unit with twenty-four ciphers annexed. See the Note under Numeration.

{ Quad`ri*lo"bate (?), Quad`ri*lobed (?), } a. [Quadri- + lobe: cf. F. quadrilobé.] Having four lobes; as, a quadrilobate leaf.

Quad`ri*loc"u*lar (?), a. [Quadri- + locular: cf. F. quadriloculaire.] Having four cells, or cavities; as, a quadrilocular heart.

Quad"rin (?), n. [OF., fr. L. quadrini four each, fr. quattuor four.] A small piece of money, in value about a farthing, or a half cent. [Obs.]

Quad`ri*nod"al (?), a. [Quadri- + nodal.] (Math.) Possessing four nodes; as, quadrinodal curves.

Quad`ri*no"mi*al (?), n. [Quadri- + nomial, as in binomial: cf. F. quadrinôme.] (Alg.) A polynomial of four terms connected by the signs plus or minus.

Quad`ri*nom"ic*al (?), a. Quadrinomial.

Quad`ri*nom"i*nal (?), a. [Quadri- + nominal.] (Alg.) Quadrinomial. Sir W. R. Hamilton.

Quad*rip"ar*tite (?), a. [L. quadripartitus, p. p. of quadripartire to divide into four parts; quattuor four + partire to divide: cf. F. quadripartite.] Divided into four parts.

Quad*rip"ar*tite*ly, adv. In four parts.

Quad`ri*par*ti"tion (?), n. [L. quadripartitio: cf. F. quadripartition.] A division or distribution by four, or into four parts; also, a taking the fourth part of any quantity or number.

Quad`ri*pen"nate (?), a. [Quadri- + pennate.] (Zoöl.) Having four wings; -- said of insects.

Quad*riph"yl*lous (?), a. [Quadri + Gr. &?; leaf.] (Bot.) Having four leaves; quadrifoliate.

Quad"ri*reme (?), n. [L. quadriremis; quattuor four + remus an oar: cf. F. quadrirème.] (Antiq.) A galley with four banks of oars or rowers.

Quad`ri*sec"tion (?), n. [Quadri- + section.] A subdivision into four parts.

Quad`ri*sul"cate (?), a. [Quadri + sulcate.] (Zoöl.) Having four hoofs; as, a quadrisulcate foot; a quadrisulcate animal.

{ Quad`ri*syl*lab"ic (?), Quad`ri-syl*lab"ic*al (?), }Having four syllables; of or pertaining to quadrisyllables; as, a quadrisyllabic word.

Quad`ri*syl"la*ble (?), n. [Quadri- + syllable: cf. F. quadrisyllabe.] A word consisting of four syllables. De Quincey.

Quad*riv"a*lence (?), n. (Chem.) The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence.

Quad*riv"a*lent (?), a. [Quadri- + L. valens, -entis, p. pr. See Valence.] (Chem.) Having a valence of four; capable of combining with, being replaced by, or compared with, four monad atoms; tetravalent; -- said of certain atoms and radicals; thus, carbon and silicon are quadrivalent elements.

Quad"ri*valve (?), a. [Quadri- + valve: cf. F. quadrivalve.] (Bot.) Dehiscent into four similar parts; four-valved; as, a quadrivalve pericarp.

Quad"ri*valve, n. (Arch.) A door, shutter, or the like, having four folds.

Quad`ri*val"vu*lar (?), a. Having four valves; quadrivalve.

Quad*riv"i*al (?), a. [L. quadrivium a place where four ways meet; quattuor four + via way.] Having four ways meeting in a point. B. Jonson.

Quad*riv"i*al, n. One of the four "liberal arts" making up the quadrivium.

||Quad*riv"i*um (?), n. [L.] The four "liberal arts," arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy; -- so called by the schoolmen. See Trivium.

Quad*roon" (?), n. [F. quarteron, or Sp. cuarteron. See Quarter a fourth part, and cf. Quarteron.] The offspring of a mulatto and a white person; a person quarter-blooded. [Written also quarteron, quarteroon, and quateron.]

Quad*rox"ide (?), n. [Quadri- + oxide.] (Chem.) A tetroxide. [R.]

||Quad*ru"ma*na (?), n. pl. [NL. See Quadrumane.] (Zoöl.) A division of the Primates comprising the apes and monkeys; -- so called because the hind foot is usually prehensile, and the great toe opposable somewhat like a thumb. Formerly the Quadrumana were considered an order distinct from the Bimana, which last included man alone.

Quad"ru*mane (?), n. [L. quattuor four + manus a hand: cf. F. quadrumane.] (Zoöl.) One of the Quadrumana.

Quad*ru"ma*nous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having four hands; of or pertaining to the Quadrumana.

Quad"ru*ped (?), a. [L. quadrupes, -pedis; quattuor four + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. quadrupède. See Quadrate, and Foot.] Having four feet.

Quad"ru*ped, n. (Zoöl.) An animal having four feet, as most mammals and reptiles; -- often restricted to the mammals.

Quad*ru"pe*dal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having four feet; of or pertaining to a quadruped.

Quad"ru*ple (?), a. [L. quadruplus, from quattuor four: cf. F. quadruple. See Quadrate, and cf. Double.] Fourfold; as, to make quadruple restitution; a quadruple alliance.

Quadruple time (Mus.), that in which each measure is divided into four equal parts.

Quad"ru*ple, n. [Cf. F. quadruple, L. quadruplum.] four times the sum or number; a fourfold amount; as, to receive to quadruple of the amount in damages.

Quad"ru*ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quadrupled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadrupling (?).] [L. quadruplare: cf. F. quadrupler.] To multiply by four; to increase fourfold; to double; to double twice. A. Smith.

Quad"ru*ple, v. i. To be multiplied by four; to increase fourfold; to become four times as much.

Quad"ru*plex (?), a. [L., from quattuor four + plicare to fold.] Fourfold; folded or doubled twice.

Quadruplex system (Electric Telegraph), a system by which four messages, two in each direction, may be sent simultaneously over the wire.

Quad*ru"pli*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quadruplicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quadruplicating.] [L. quadruplicatus, p. p. of quadruplicare, fr. quadruple&?; fourfold. See Quadruplex.] To make fourfold; to double twice; to quadruple.

Quad*ru"pli*cate (?), a. [L. quadruplicatus, p. p.]

1. Fourfold; doubled twice; four times repeated; as, a quadruplicate ratio, or a quadruplicate proportion.

2. (Math.) Raised to the fourth power. [R.]

Quad`ru*pli*ca"tion (?), n. [L. quadruplicatio: cf. F. quadruplication.] The act of making fourfold; a taking four times the simple sum or amount.

Quad"ru*ply (?), adv. To a fourfold quantity; so as to be, or cause to be, quadruple; as, to be quadruply recompensed.

||Quæ"re (?), v. imperative. [L., imperative of quaerere to seek.] Inquire; question; see; - - used to signify doubt or to suggest investigation.

||Quæs"tor (?), n. [L.] Same as Questor.

Quaff (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quaffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaffing.] [For quach, fr. Gael. & Ir. cuach a drinking cup; cf. L. caucus a drinking vessel. Cf. Quaigh.] To drink with relish; to drink copiously of; to swallow in large draughts. "Quaffed off the muscadel." Shak.

They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortality and joy.
Milton.

Quaff (?), v. i. To drink largely or luxuriously.

Twelve days the gods their solemn revels keep,
And quaff with blameless Ethiops in the deep.
Dryden.

Quaff"er (?), n. One who quaffs, or drinks largely.

Quag (?), n. A quagmire. [R.] "Crooked or straight, through quags or thorny dells." Cowper.

Quag"ga (?), n. [Hottentot.] (Zoöl.) A South African wild ass (Equus, or Hippotigris, quagga). The upper parts are reddish brown, becoming paler behind and behind and beneath, with dark stripes on the face, neck, and fore part of the body.

Quag"gy (?), a.[See Quag, Quagmire.] Of the nature of a quagmire; yielding or trembling under the foot, as soft, wet earth; spongy; boggy. "O'er the watery strath, or quaggy moss." Collins.

Quag"mire` (?), n. [Quake + mire.] Soft, wet, miry land, which shakes or yields under the feet. "A spot surrounded by quagmires, which rendered it difficult of access." Palfrey.

Syn. -- Morass; marsh; bog; swamp; fen; slough.

{ Qua"hog, Qua"haug } (?), n. [Abbrev. fr. Narragansett Indian poquaûhock.] (Zoöl.) An American market clam (Venus mercenaria). It is sold in large quantities, and is highly valued as food. Called also round clam, and hard clam.

&fist; The name is also applied to other allied species, as Venus Mortoni of the Gulf of Mexico.

{ Quaigh, Quaich } (?), n. [Gael. cuach. Cf. Quaff.] A small shallow cup or drinking vessel. [Scot.] [Written also quegh.]

Quail (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Qualled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualling.] [AS. cwelan to die, perish; akin to cwalu violent death, D. kwaal pain, G. qual torment, OHG. quelan to suffer torment, Lith. gelti to hurt, gela pain. Cf. Quell.] 1. To die; to perish; hence, to wither; to fade. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To become quelled; to become cast down; to sink under trial or apprehension of danger; to lose the spirit and power of resistance; to lose heart; to give way; to shrink; to cower.

The atheist power shall quail, and confess his fears. I. Taylor.
Stouter hearts than a woman's have quailed in this terrible winter.
Longfellow.

Syn. -- to cower; flinch; shrink; quake; tremble; blench; succumb; yield.

Quail, v. t. [Cf. Quell.] To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to subdue. [Obs.] Spenser.

Quail, v. i. [OF. coaillier, F. cailler, from L. coagulare. See Coagulate.] To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. [Obs.] Holland.

Quail, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia, qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel, OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]

1. (Zoöl.) Any gallinaceous bird belonging to Coturnix and several allied genera of the Old World, especially the common European quail (C. communis), the rain quail (C. Coromandelica) of India, the stubble quail (C. pectoralis), and the Australian swamp quail (Synoicus australis).

2. (Zoöl.) Any one of several American partridges belonging to Colinus, Callipepla, and allied genera, especially the bobwhite (called Virginia quail, and Maryland quail), and the California quail (Calipepla Californica).

3. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Turnix and allied genera, native of the Old World, as the Australian painted quail (Turnix varius). See Turnix.

4. A prostitute; -- so called because the quail was thought to be a very amorous bird.[Obs.] Shak.

Bustard quail (Zoöl.), a small Asiatic quail-like bird of the genus Turnix, as T. taigoor, a black-breasted species, and the hill bustard quail (T. ocellatus). See Turnix. -- Button quail (Zoöl.), one of several small Asiatic species of Turnix, as T. Sykesii, which is said to be the smallest game bird of India. -- Mountain quail. See under Mountain. -- Quail call, a call or pipe for alluring quails into a net or within range. -- Quail dove (Zoöl.), any one of several American ground pigeons belonging to Geotrygon and allied genera. -- Quail hawk (Zoöl.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk (Hieracidea Novæ-Hollandiæ). -- Quail pipe. See Quail call, above. -- Quail snipe (Zoöl.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted snipe; -- called also robin snipe, and brown snipe. -- Sea quail (Zoöl.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]

Quail"y (?), n. [Cf. Quail the bird.] (Zoöl.) The upland plover. [Canadian]

Quaint (?), a. [OE. queint, queynte, coint, prudent, wise, cunning, pretty, odd, OF. cointe cultivated, amiable, agreeable, neat, fr. L. cognitus known, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con + noscere (for gnoscere) to know. See Know, and cf. Acquaint, Cognition.] 1. Prudent; wise; hence, crafty; artful; wily. [Obs.]

Clerks be full subtle and full quaint.
Chaucer.

2. Characterized by ingenuity or art; finely fashioned; skillfully wrought; elegant; graceful; nice; neat. [Archaic] " The queynte ring." " His queynte spear." Chaucer. " A shepherd young quaint." Chapman.

Every look was coy and wondrous quaint.
Spenser.

To show bow quaint an orator you are.
Shak.

3. Curious and fanciful; affected; odd; whimsical; antique; archaic; singular; unusual; as, quaint architecture; a quaint expression.

Some stroke of quaint yet simple pleasantry.
Macaulay.

An old, long-faced, long-bodied servant in quaint livery.
W. Irving.

Syn. -- Quaint, Odd, Antique. Antique is applied to that which has come down from the ancients, or which is made to imitate some ancient work of art. Odd implies disharmony, incongruity, or unevenness. An odd thing or person is an exception to general rules of calculation and procedure, or expectation and common experience. In the current use of quaint, the two ideas of odd and antique are combined, and the word is commonly applied to that which is pleasing by reason of both these qualities. Thus, we speak of the quaint architecture of many old buildings in London; or a quaint expression, uniting at once the antique and the fanciful.

Quain"tise (?), n. [OF. cointise.] 1. Craft; subtlety; cunning. [Obs.] Chaucer. R. of Glouces.

2. Elegance; beauty. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Quaint"ly (?), adv. In a quaint manner. Shak.

Quaint"ness, n. The quality of being quaint. Pope.

Quair (?), n. [See 3d Quire.] A quire; a book. [Obs.] "The king's quhair." James I. (of Scotland).

Quake (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quaking.] [AS. cwacian; cf. G. quackeln. Cf. Quagmire.] 1. To be agitated with quick, short motions continually repeated; to shake with fear, cold, etc.; to shudder; to tremble. "Quaking for dread." Chaucer.

She stood quaking like the partridge on which the hawk is ready to seize.
Sir P. Sidney.

2. To shake, vibrate, or quiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the mountains quake. " Over quaking bogs." Macaulay.

Quake, v. t. [Cf. AS. cweccan to move, shake. See Quake, v. t.] To cause to quake. [Obs.] Shak.

Quake, n. A tremulous agitation; a quick vibratory movement; a shudder; a quivering.

Quak"er (?), n. 1. One who quakes.

2. One of a religious sect founded by George Fox, of Leicestershire, England, about 1650, -- the members of which call themselves Friends. They were called Quakers, originally, in derision. See Friend, n., 4.

Fox's teaching was primarily a preaching of repentance . . . The trembling among the listening crowd caused or confirmed the name of Quakers given to the body; men and women sometimes fell down and lay struggling as if for life.
Encyc. Brit.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) The nankeen bird. (b) The sooty albatross. (c) Any grasshopper or locust of the genus (Edipoda; -- so called from the quaking noise made during flight.

Quaker buttons. (Bot.) See Nux vomica. -- Quaker gun, a dummy cannon made of wood or other material; -- so called because the sect of Friends, or Quakers, hold to the doctrine, of nonresistance. -- Quaker ladies (Bot.), a low American biennial plant (Houstonia cærulea), with pretty four- lobed corollas which are pale blue with a yellowish center; -- also called bluets, and little innocents.

Quak"er*ess, n. A woman who is a member of the Society of Friends.

Quak"er*ish, a. Like or pertaining to a Quaker; Quakerlike.

Quak"er*ism (?), n. The peculiar character, manners, tenets, etc., of the Quakers.

Quak"er*like (?), a. Like a Quaker.

Quak"er*ly, a. Resembling Quakers; Quakerlike; Quakerish. Macaulay.

Quak"er*y (?), n. Quakerism. [Obs.] Hallywell.

Quake"tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A wagtail.

Quak"i*ness (?), n. The state of being quaky; liability to quake.

Quak"ing, a. & n. from Quake, v.

Quaking aspen (Bot.), an American species of poplar (Populus tremuloides), the leaves of which tremble in the lightest breeze. It much resembles the European aspen. See Aspen. -- Quaking bog, a bog of forming peat so saturated with water that it shakes when trodden upon. -- Quaking grass. (Bot.) (a) One of several grasses of the genus Briza, having slender-stalked and pendulous ovate spikelets, which quake and rattle in the wind. Briza maxima is the large quaking grass; B. media and B. minor are the smaller kinds. (b) Rattlesnake grass (Glyceria Canadensis).

Quak"ing*ly (?), adv. In a quaking manner; fearfully. Sir P. Sidney.

Quak"y (?), a. Shaky, or tremulous; quaking.

Qual"i*fi`a*ble (?), a. Capable of being qualified; abatable; modifiable. Barrow.

Qual`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. qualification. See Qualify.] 1. The act of qualifying, or the condition of being qualified.

2. That which qualifies; any natural endowment, or any acquirement, which fits a person for a place, office, or employment, or which enables him to sustian any character with success; an enabling quality or circumstance; requisite capacity or possession.

There is no qualification for government but virtue and wisdom, actual or presumptive.
Burke.

3. The act of limiting, or the state of being limited; that which qualifies by limiting; modification; restriction; hence, abatement; diminution; as, to use words without any qualification.

Qual"i*fi*ca*tive (?), n. That which qualifies, modifies, or restricts; a qualifying term or statement.

How many qualificatives, correctives, and restrictives he inserteth in this relation.
Fuller.

Qual"i*fi*ca`tor (?), n. [LL.] (R. C. Ch.) An officer whose business it is to examine and prepare causes for trial in the ecclesiastical courts.

Qual"i*fied (?), a. 1. Fitted by accomplishments or endowments.

2. Modified; limited; as, a qualified statement.

Qualified fee (Law), a base fee, or an estate which has a qualification annexed to it, the fee ceasing with the qualification, as a grant to A and his heirs, tenants of the manor of Dale. -- Qualified indorsement (Law), an indorsement which modifies the liability of the indorser that would result from the general principles of law, but does not affect the negotiability of the instrument. Story. -- Qualified negative (Legislation), a limited veto power, by which the chief executive in a constitutional government may refuse assent to bills passed by the legislative body, which bills therefore fail to become laws unless upon a reconsideration the legislature again passes them by a certain majority specified in the constitution, when they become laws without the approval of the executive. -- Qualified property (Law), that which depends on temporary possession, as that in wild animals reclaimed, or as in the case of a bailment.

Syn. -- Competent; fit; adapted. -- Qualified, Competent. Competent is most commonly used with respect to native endowments and general ability suited to the performance of a task or duty; qualified with respect to specific acquirements and training.

Qual"i*fied`ly, adv. In the way of qualification; with modification or qualification.

Qual"i*fied`ness, n. The state of being qualified.

Qual"i*fi`er (?), n. One who, or that which, qualifies; that which modifies, reduces, tempers or restrains.

Qual"i*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Qualified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Qualifying (?).] [F. qualifier, LL. qualificare, fr. L. qualis how constituted, as + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Quality, and -Fy.] 1. To make such as is required; to give added or requisite qualities to; to fit, as for a place, office, occupation, or character; to furnish with the knowledge, skill, or other accomplishment necessary for a purpose; to make capable, as of an employment or privilege; to supply with legal power or capacity.

He had qualified himself for municipal office by taking the oaths to the sovereigns in possession.
Macaulay.

2. To give individual quality to; to modulate; to vary; to regulate.

It hath no larynx . . . to qualify the sound.
Sir T. Browne.

3. To reduce from a general, undefined, or comprehensive form, to particular or restricted form; to modify; to limit; to restrict; to restrain; as, to qualify a statement, claim, or proposition.

4. Hence, to soften; to abate; to diminish; to assuage; to reduce the strength of, as liquors.

I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire,
But qualify the fire's extreme rage.
Shak.

5. To soothe; to cure; -- said of persons. [Obs.]

In short space he has them qualified.
Spenser.

Syn. -- To fit; equip; prepare; adapt; capacitate; enable; modify; soften; restrict; restrain; temper.

Qual"i*fy, v. i. 1. To be or become qualified; to be fit, as for an office or employment.

2. To obtain legal power or capacity by taking the oath, or complying with the forms required, on assuming an office.

Qual"i*ta*tive (?), a. [Cf. LL. gualitativus, F. qualitatif.] Relating to quality; having the character of quality. -- Qual"i*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Qualitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which merely determines the constituents of a substance without any regard to the quantity of each ingredient; -- contrasted with quantitative analysis.

Qual"i*tied (?), a. Furnished with qualities; endowed. [Obs.] "He was well qualitied." Chapman.

Qual"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Qualities (#). [F. qualité, L. qualitas, fr. qualis how constituted, as; akin to E. which. See Which.] 1. The condition of being of such and such a sort as distinguished from others; nature or character relatively considered, as of goods; character; sort; rank.

We lived most joyful, obtaining acquaintance with many of the city not of the meanest quality.
Bacon

2. Special or temporary character; profession; occupation; assumed or asserted rank, part, or position.

I made that inquiry in quality of an antiquary.
Gray.

3. That which makes, or helps to make, anything such as it is; anything belonging to a subject, or predicable of it; distinguishing property, characteristic, or attribute; peculiar power, capacity, or virtue; distinctive trait; as, the tones of a flute differ from those of a violin in quality; the great quality of a statesman.

&fist; Qualities, in metaphysics, are primary or secondary. Primary are those essential to the existence, and even the conception, of the thing, as of matter or spirit Secondary are those not essential to such a conception.

4. An acquired trait; accomplishment; acquisition.

He had those qualities of horsemanship, dancing, and fencing which accompany a good breeding.
Clarendon.

5. Superior birth or station; high rank; elevated character. "Persons of quality." Bacon.

Quality binding, a kind of worsted tape used in Scotland for binding carpets, and the like. -- The quality, those of high rank or station, as distinguished from the masses, or common people; the nobility; the gentry.

I shall appear at the masquerade dressed up in my feathers, that the quality may see how pretty they will look in their traveling habits.
Addison.

Syn. -- Property; attribute; nature; peculiarity; character; sort; rank; disposition; temper.

Qualm (?), n. [AS. cwealm death, slaughter, pestilence, akin to OS. & OHG. qualm. See Quail to cower.] 1. Sickness; disease; pestilence; death. [Obs.]

thousand slain and not of qualm ystorve [dead].
Chaucer.

2. A sudden attack of illness, faintness, or pain; an agony. " Qualms of heartsick agony." Milton.

3. Especially, a sudden sensation of nausea.

For who, without a qualm, hath ever looked
On holy garbage, though by Homer cooked?
Roscommon.

4. A prick or scruple of conscience; uneasiness of conscience; compunction. Dryden.

Qualm"ish, a. Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea or sickly languor; inclined to vomit. Shak.

-- Qualm"ish*ly, adv. -- Qualm"ish*ness, n.

Quam"ash (?), n. (Bot.) See Camass.

Quam"o*clit (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bean + &?; to bend, to slope.] (Bot.) Formerly, a genus of plants including the cypress vine (Quamoclit vulgaris, now called Ipomœa Quamoclit). The genus is now merged in Ipomœa.

Quan"da*ry (?), n.; pl. Quandaries (#). [Prob. fr. OE. wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandræði difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.] A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.

Quan"da*ry, v. t. To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty. [Obs.] Otway.

Quan"dong (?), n. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of an Australian tree (Fusanus acuminatus) of the Sandalwood family; -- called also quandang.

Quan"dy (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) The old squaw. [Local, U. S.]

Quan"net (?), n. A flat file having the handle at one side, so as to be used like a plane.

Quant (?), n. A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it from sinking into the mud; a setting pole.

Quan"tic (?), n. [L. quantus how much. See Quantity.] (Math.) A homogeneous algebraic function of two or more variables, in general containing only positive integral powers of the variables, and called quadric, cubic, quartic, etc., according as it is of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or a higher degree. These are further called binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., according as they contain two, three, four, or more variables; thus, the quantic &?; is a binary cubic.

Quan`ti*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [See Quantity.] Modification by a reference to quantity; the introduction of the element of quantity.

The quantification of the predicate belongs in part to Sir William Hamilton; viz., in its extension to negative propositions.
De Quincey.

Quan"ti*fy (?), v. t. [L. quantus now much + -fy.] To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to fix or express the quantity of; to rate.

Quan"ti*ta*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. quantitatif.] Relating to quantity. -- Quan"ti*ta*tive*ly, adv.

Quantitative analysis (Chem.), analysis which determines the amount or quantity of each ingredient of a substance, by weight or by volume; -- contrasted with qualitative analysis.

Quan"ti*tive (?), a. [See Quantity.] Estimable according to quantity; quantitative. Sir K. Digby.

Quan"ti*tive*ly, adv. So as to be measurable by quantity; quantitatively.

Quan"ti*ty (?), n.; pl. Quantities (#). [F. quantite, L. quantitas, fr. quantus bow great, how much, akin to quam bow, E. how, who. See Who.]

1. The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question "How much?"; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size. Hence, in specific uses: (a) (Logic) The extent or extension of a general conception, that is, the number of species or individuals to which it may be applied; also, its content or comprehension, that is, the number of its constituent qualities, attributes, or relations. (b) (Gram.) The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is pronounced; as, the long or short quantity of a vowel or syllable. (c) (Mus.) The relative duration of a tone.

2. That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially (Math.), anything to which mathematical processes are applicable.

&fist; Quantity is discrete when it is applied to separate objects, as in number; continuous, when the parts are connected, either in succession, as in time, motion, etc., or in extension, as by the dimensions of space, viz., length, breadth, and thickness.

3. A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities.

The quantity of extensive and curious information which he had picked up during many months of desultory, but not unprofitable, study.
Macaulay.

Quantity of estate (Law), its time of continuance, or degree of interest, as in fee, for life, or for years. Wharton (Law Dict. ) -- Quantity of matter, in a body, its mass, as determined by its weight, or by its momentum under a given velocity. -- Quantity of motion (Mech.), in a body, the relative amount of its motion, as measured by its momentum, varying as the product of mass and velocity. -- Known quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are given. -- Unknown quantities (Math.), quantities whose values are sought.

Quan*tiv"a*lence (?), n. [L. quantus how much + E. valence.] (Chem.) Valence. [Archaic]

Quan*tiv"a*lent (?), a. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to quantivalence. [Archaic]

Quan"tum (?), n.; pl. Quanta (#). [L., neuter of quantus how great, how much. See Quantity,] 1. Quantity; amount. "Without authenticating . . . the quantum of the charges." Burke.

2. (Math.) A definite portion of a manifoldness, limited by a mark or by a boundary. W. K. Clifford.

||Quantum meruit (&?;) [L., as much as he merited] (Law), a count in an action grounded on a promise that the defendant would pay to the plaintiff for his service as much as he should deserve. -- ||Quantum sufficit (&?;), or Quantum suff. [L., as much suffices] (Med.), a sufficient quantity. -- ||Quantum valebat (&?;) [L., as much at it was worth] (Law), a count in an action to recover of the defendant, for goods sold, as much as they were worth. Blackstone.

Quap (?), v. i. To quaver. [Obs.] See Quob.

Qua`qua*ver"sal (?), a. [L. quaqua wheresoever, whithersoever + versus, p. p. of vertere to turn.] 1. Turning or dipping in any or every direction.

2. (Geol.) Dipping toward all points of the compass round a center, as beds of lava round a crater.

Quar (?), n. A quarry. [Prov. Eng.] B. Jonson.

Quar"an*tine (?), n. [F. quarantaine, OF. quaranteine, fr. F. quarante forty, L. quadraginta, akin to quattuor four, and E. four: cf. It. quarantina, quarentine. See Four, and cf. Quadragesima.] 1. A space of forty days; -- used of Lent.

2. Specifically, the term, originally of forty days, during which a ship arriving in port, and suspected of being infected a malignant contagious disease, is obliged to forbear all intercourse with the shore; hence, such restraint or inhibition of intercourse; also, the place where infected or prohibited vessels are stationed.

&fist; Quarantine is now applied also to any forced stoppage of travel or communication on account of malignant contagious disease, on land as well as by sea.

3. (Eng. Law) The period of forty days during which the widow had the privilege of remaining in the mansion house of which her husband died seized.

Quarantine flag, a yellow flag hoisted at the fore of a vessel or hung from a building, to give warning of an infectious disease; -- called also the yellow jack, and yellow flag.

Quar`an*tine" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quarantined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarantining.] To compel to remain at a distance, or in a given place, without intercourse, when suspected of having contagious disease; to put under, or in, quarantine.

Quarl (?), n. [Cf. G. qualle.] (Zoöl.) A medusa, or jellyfish. [R.]

The jellied quarl that flings
At once a thousand streaming stings.
J. R. Drake.

Quar"rel (?), n. [OE. quarel, OF. quarrel, F. carreau, LL. quadrellus, from L. quadrus square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quadrel, Quarry an arrow, Carrel.] 1. An arrow for a crossbow; -- so named because it commonly had a square head. [Obs.]

To shoot with arrows and quarrel.
Sir J. Mandeville.

Two arblasts, . . . with windlaces and quarrels.
Sir W. Scott.

2. (Arch.) Any small square or quadrangular member; as: (a) A square of glass, esp. when set diagonally. (b) A small opening in window tracery, of which the cusps, etc., make the form nearly square. (c) A square or lozenge-shaped paving tile.

3. A glazier's diamond. Simmonds.

4. A four-sided cutting tool or chisel having a diamond-shaped end.

Quar"rel, n. [OE. querele, OF. querele, F. querelle, fr. L. querela, querella, a complaint, fr. queri to complain. See Querulous.] 1. A breach of concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses.

I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant.
Lev. xxvi. 25.

On open seas their quarrels they debate.
Dryden.

2. Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation.

Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him.
Mark vi. 19.

No man hath any quarrel to me.
Shak.

He thought he had a good quarrel to attack him.
Holinshed.

3. Earnest desire or longing. [Obs.] Holland.

To pick a quarrel. See under Pick, v. t.

Syn. -- Brawl; broil; squabble; affray; feud; tumult; contest; dispute; altercation; contention; wrangle.

Quar"rel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quarreled (?) or Quarrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Quarreling or Quarrelling.] 1. To violate concord or agreement; to have a difference; to fall out; to be or become antagonistic.

Our people quarrel with obedience.
Shak.

But some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed.
Shak.

2. To dispute angrily, or violently; to wrangle; to scold; to altercate; to contend; to fight.

Beasts called sociable quarrel in hunger and lust.
Sir W. Temple.

3. To find fault; to cavil; as, to quarrel with one's lot.

I will not quarrel with a slight mistake.
Roscommon.

Quar"rel (?), v. t. 1. To quarrel with. [R.] "I had quarelled my brother purposely." B. Jonson.

2. To compel by a quarrel; as, to quarrel a man out of his estate or rights.

Quar"rel (?), n. [Written also quarreller.] One who quarrels or wrangles; one who is quarrelsome. Shak.

Quar"rel*et (?), n. A little quarrel. See 1st Quarrel, 2. [Obs.] "Quarrelets of pearl [teeth]." Herrick.

Quar"rel*ing, a. Engaged in a quarrel; apt or disposed to quarrel; as, quarreling factions; a quarreling mood. -- Quar"rel*ing*ly, adv.

Quar"rel*lous (?), a. [OF. querelous, F. querelleux, L. querulosus and querulus, fr. queri to complain. See 2d Quarrel.] Quarrelsome. [Obs.] [Written also quarrellous.] Shak.

Quar"rel*some (?), a. Apt or disposed to quarrel; given to brawls and contention; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric.

Syn. -- Pugnacious; irritable; irascible; brawling; choleric; fiery; petulant.

-- Quar"rel*some*ly, adv. -- Quar"rel*some*ness, n.

Quar"ried (?), a. Provided with prey.

Now I am bravely quarried.
Beau. & Fl.

Quar"ri*er (?), n. A worker in a stone quarry.

Quar"ry (?), n. [OE. quarre, OF. quarré square, F. carré, from L. quadratus square, quadrate, quadratum a square. See Quadrate, and cf. Quarrel an arrow.] Same as 1st Quarrel. [Obs.] Fairfax.

Quar"ry, a. [OF. quarré.] Quadrate; square. [Obs.]

Quar"ry, n.; pl. Quarries (#). [OE. querre, OF. cuiriée, F. curée, fr. cuir hide, leather, fr. L. corium; the quarry given to the dogs being wrapped in the akin of the beast. See Cuirass.] 1. (a) A part of the entrails of the beast taken, given to the hounds. (b) A heap of game killed.

2. The object of the chase; the animal hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks. "The stone- dead quarry." Spenser.

The wily quarry shunned the shock.
Sir W. Scott.

Quar"ry, v. i. To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy. L'Estrange.

Quar"ry, n. [OE. quarrere, OF. quariere, F. carrière, LL. quadraria a quarry, whence squared (quadrati) stones are dug, fr. quadratus square. See Quadrate.] A place, cavern, or pit where stone is taken from the rock or ledge, or dug from the earth, for building or other purposes; a stone pit. See 5th Mine (a).

Quar"ry, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quarried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quarrying.] To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble.

Quar"ry-faced` (?), a. (Stone Masonry) Having a face left as it comes from the quarry and not smoothed with the chisel or point; -- said of stones.

Quar"ry-man (?), n.; pl. Quarrymen (&?;). A man who is engaged in quarrying stones; a quarrier.

Quart (?), n. [F. quart, n. masc., fr. L. quartus the fourth, akin to quattuor four. See Four, and cf. 2d Carte, Quarto.] The fourth part; a quarter; hence, a region of the earth. [Obs.]

Camber did possess the western quart.
Spenser.

Quart, n. [F. quarte, n. fem., fr. quart fourth. See Quart a quarter.] 1. A measure of capacity, both in dry and in liquid measure; the fourth part of a gallon; the eighth part of a peck; two pints.

&fist; In imperial measure, a quart is forty English fluid ounces; in wine measure, it is thirty-two American fluid ounces. The United States dry quart contains 67.20 cubic inches, the fluid quart 57.75. The English quart contains 69.32 cubic inches.

2. A vessel or measure containing a quart.

Quart (?), n. [See Quart a quarter.] In cards, four successive cards of the same suit. Cf. Tierce, 4. Hoyle.

Quar"tan (?), a. [F. quartain, in fièvre quartaine, L. quartanus, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] Of or pertaining to the fourth; occurring every fourth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quartan ague, or fever.

Quar"tan, n. 1. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fourth day, reckoning inclusively, that is, one in which the interval between paroxysms is two days.

2. A measure, the fourth part of some other measure.

Quar"tane (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth.] (Chem.) Butane, each molecule of which has four carbon atoms.

Quar*ta"tion (?), n. [L. quartus the fourth: cf. F. quartation. So called because usually enough silver is added to make the amount of gold in the alloyed button about one fourth.] (Chem. & Assaying) The act, process, or result (in the process of parting) of alloying a button of nearly pure gold with enough silver to reduce the fineness so as to allow acids to attack and remove all metals except the gold; -- called also inquartation. Compare Parting.

||Quarte (?), n. [F.] Same as 2d Carte.

Quar"tene (?), n. [Ouartane + ethylene.] (Chem.) Same as Butylene.

Quar"ten*yl"ic (?), a. [Quartene + -yl + -ic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the acrylic acid series, metameric with crotonic acid, and obtained as a colorless liquid; -- so called from having four carbon atoms in the molecule. Called also isocrotonic acid.

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.
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′, 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 (Lady Day), the 24th of June (Midsummer Day), the 29th of September (Michaelmas Day), and the 25th of December (Christmas Day). -- Quarter face, in fine arts, portrait painting, etc., a face turned away so that but one quarter is visible. -- Quarter gallery (Naut.), a balcony on the quarter of a ship. See Gallery, 4. -- Quarter gunner (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the gunner. -- Quarter look, a side glance. [Obs.] B. Jonson. -- Quarter nettings (Naut.), hammock nettings along the quarter rails. -- Quarter note (Mus.), a note equal in duration to half a minim or a fourth of semibreve; a crochet. -- Quarter pieces (Naut.), several pieces of timber at the after-part of the quarter gallery, near the taffrail. Totten. -- Quarter point. (Naut.) See Quarter, n., 1 (n). -- Quarter railing, or Quarter rails (Naut.), narrow molded planks reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway, serving as a fence to the quarter-deck. -- Quarter sessions (Eng. Law), a general court of criminal jurisdiction held quarterly by the justices of peace in counties and by the recorders in boroughs. -- Quarter square (Math.), the fourth part of the square of a number. Tables of quarter squares have been devised to save labor in multiplying numbers. -- Quarter turn, Quarter turn belt (Mach.), an arrangement in which a belt transmits motion between two shafts which are at right angles with each other. -- Quarter watch (Naut.), a subdivision of the full watch (one fourth of the crew) on a man-of- war. -- To give, or show, quarter (Mil.), to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a vanquished enemy. -- To keep quarter. See Quarter, n., 3.

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.
Dryden.

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.
Shak.

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

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

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.
De Quincey.

Quar"ter*age (?), n. A quarterly allowance.

Quar"ter-deck` (?), n. (Naut.) That part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one.

&fist; The quarter-deck is reserved as a promenade for the officers and (in passenger vessels) for the cabin passengers.

Quar"ter*foil` (?), n. [Quarier + foil: cf. F. quatre.] (Arch.) An ornamental foliation having four lobes, or foils.

Quar"ter*hung` (?), a. (Ordnance) Having trunnions the axes of which lie below the bore; -- said of a cannon.

Quar"ter*ing, a. 1. (Naut.) Coming from a point well abaft the beam, but not directly astern; -- said of waves or any moving object.

2. (Mach.) At right angles, as the cranks of a locomotive, which are in planes forming a right angle with each other.

Quar"ter*ing, n. 1. A station. [Obs.] Bp. Montagu.

2. Assignment of quarters for soldiers; quarters.

3. (Her.) (a) The division of a shield containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments. (b) One of the different coats of arms arranged upon an escutcheon, denoting the descent of the bearer.

4. (Arch.) A series of quarters, or small upright posts. See Quarter, n., 1 (m) (Arch.) Gwilt.

Quartering block, a block on which the body of a condemned criminal was quartered. Macaulay.

Quar"ter*ly, a. 1. Containing, or consisting of, a fourth part; as, quarterly seasons.

2. Recurring during, or at the end of, each quarter; as, quarterly payments of rent; a quarterly meeting.

Quar"ter*ly, n.; pl. Quarterlies (&?;). A periodical work published once a quarter, or four times in a year.

Quar"ter*ly, adv. 1. By quarters; once in a quarter of a year; as, the returns are made quarterly.

2. (Her.) In quarters, or quarterings; as, to bear arms quarterly; in four or more parts; -- said of a shield thus divided by lines drawn through it at right angles.

Quar"ter*mas`ter (?), n. [Quarter + master: cf. F. quartier-maître.] 1. (Mil.) An officer whose duty is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies.

2. (Naut.) A petty officer who attends to the helm, binnacle, signals, and the like, under the direction of the master. Totten.

Quartermaster general (Mil.), in the United States a staff officer, who has the rank of brigadier general and is the chief officer in the quartermaster's department; in England, an officer of high rank stationed at the War Office having similar duties; also, a staff officer, usually a general officer, accompanying each complete army in the field. -- Quartermaster sergeant. See Sergeant.

Quar"tern (?), n.[OE. quarteroun, quartron, F. quarteron, the fourth part of a pound, or of a hundred; cf. L. quartarius a fourth part, quarter of any measure, quartern, gill. See Quarter, and cf. Quarteron, Quadroon.] 1. A quarter. Specifically: (a) The fourth part of a pint; a gill. (b) The fourth part of a peck, or of a stone (14 ibs.).

2. A loaf of bread weighing about four pounds; -- called also quartern loaf. Simmonds.

Quar"ter*on (?), n. [F. See Quartern.] A quarter; esp., a quarter of a pound, or a quarter of a hundred. Piers Plowman.

{ Quar"ter*on (?), Quar"ter*oon (?) }, n. A quadroon.

Quar"ter*pace` (?), n. (Arch.) A platform of a staircase where the stair turns at a right angle only. See Halfpace.

Quar"ter round` (?). (Arch.) An ovolo.

Quar"ter*staff` (?), n.; pl. Quarterstaves (&?;). A long and stout staff formerly used as a weapon of defense and offense; -- so called because in holding it one hand was placed in the middle, and the other between the middle and the end.

{ Quar*tet", Quar*tette" } (?), n. [It. quartetto, dim. of quarto the fourth, a fourth part, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] 1. (Mus.) (a) A composition in four parts, each performed by a single voice or instrument. (b) The set of four person who perform a piece of music in four parts.

2. (Poet.) A stanza of four lines.

Quar"tic (?), a. [L. quartus fourth.] (Mach.) Of the fourth degree.

Quar"tic (?), n. (a) (Alg.) A quantic of the fourth degree. See Quantic. (b) (Geom.) A curve or surface whose equation is of the fourth degree in the variables.

Quar"tile (?), n. [F. quartile aspect, fr. L. quartus the fourth. See Quart.] (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate.

Quar"tine (?), n. [F., fr. L. quartus the fourth.] (Bot.) A supposed fourth integument of an ovule, counting from the outside.

Quar"to (?), a. [L. in quarto in fourth, from quartus the fourth: cf. F. (in) quarto. See Quart.] Having four leaves to the sheet; of the form or size of a quarto.

Quar"to, n.; pl. Quartos (&?;). Originally, a book of the size of the fourth of sheet of printing paper; a size leaves; in present usage, a book of a square or nearly square form, and usually of large size.

Quar"tridge (?), n. Quarterage. [Obs.]

Quartz (?), n. [G. quarz.] (Min.) A form of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), occurring in hexagonal crystals, which are commonly colorless and transparent, but sometimes also yellow, brown, purple, green, and of other colors; also in cryptocrystalline massive forms varying in color and degree of transparency, being sometimes opaque.

&fist; The crystalline varieties include: amethyst, violet; citrine and false topaz, pale yellow; rock crystal, transparent and colorless or nearly so; rose quartz, rosecolored; smoky quartz, smoky brown. The chief crypto-crystalline varieties are: agate, a chalcedony in layers or clouded with different colors, including the onyx and sardonyx; carnelian and sard, red or flesh- colored chalcedony; chalcedony, nearly white, and waxy in luster; chrysoprase, an apple-green chalcedony; flint, hornstone, basanite, or touchstone, brown to black in color and compact in texture; heliotrope, green dotted with red; jasper, opaque, red yellow, or brown, colored by iron or ferruginous clay; prase, translucent and dull leek-green. Quartz is an essential constituent of granite, and abounds in rocks of all ages. It forms the rocks quartzite (quartz rock) and sandstone, and makes most of the sand of the seashore.

Quartz*if"er*ous (?), a. [Quartz + -ferous.] (Min.) Consisting chiefly of quartz; containing quartz.

Quartz"ite (?), n. [Cf. F. quartzite.] (Min.) Massive quartz occurring as a rock; a metamorphosed sandstone; -- called also quartz rock.

Quartz"oid (?), n. [Quartz + - oid.] (Crystallog.) A form of crystal common with quartz, consisting of two six-sided pyramids, base to base.

Quartz"ose` (?), a. [Cf. F. quartzeux, G. quarzig.] (Min.) Containing, or resembling, quartz; partaking of the nature or qualities of quartz.

quartz"ous (?), a. (Min.) Quarzose.

Quartz"y (?), a. (Min.) Quartzose.

Quas (?), n. A kind of beer. Same as Quass.

{ Quas"chi (?), Quas"je (?) }, n. (Zoöl.) The brown coati. See Coati.

Quash (?), n. Same as Squash.

Quash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Quashed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quashing.] [OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. cassare to annihilate, annul, fr. cassus empty, vain, of uncertain origin. The word has been confused with L. quassare to shake, F. casser to break, which is probably of different origin. Cf. Cashier, v. t.] (Law) To abate, annul, overthrow, or make void; as, to quash an indictment. Blackstone.

Quash, v. t. [OF. quasser, F. casser, fr. L. quassare to shake, shatter, shiver, v. intens. fr. quatere, quassum, to shake, shatter. Cf. Concussion, Discuss, Rescue, and also Quash to annul.] 1. To beat down, or beat in pieces; to dash forcibly; to crush.

The whales
Against sharp rocks, like reeling vessels, quashed,
Though huge as mountains, are in pieces dashed.
Waller.

2. To crush; to subdue; to suppress or extinguish summarily and completely; as, to quash a rebellion.

Contrition is apt to quash or allay all worldly grief.
Barrow.

Quash, v. i. To be shaken, or dashed about, with noise.

Quash"ee (?), n. A negro of the West Indies.

Qua"si (?). [L.] As if; as though; as it were; in a manner sense or degree; having some resemblance to; qualified; -- used as an adjective, or a prefix with a noun or an adjective; as, a quasi contract, an implied contract, an obligation which has arisen from some act, as if from a contract; a quasi corporation, a body that has some, but not all, of the peculiar attributes of a corporation; a quasi argument, that which resembles, or is used as, an argument; quasi historical, apparently historical, seeming to be historical.

Quas`i*mo"do (?), n. [So called from the first words of the Latin introit, quasi modo geniti infantes as newborn babes, 1 Pet. ii. 2.] (R. C. Ch.) The first Sunday after Easter; Low Sunday.

Quass (?), n. [Russ. kvas'.] A thin, sour beer, made by pouring warm water on rye or barley meal and letting it ferment, -- much used by the Russians. [written also quas.]

Quas*sa"tion (?), n. [L. quassatio, from quassare to shake. See Quash to crush.] The act of shaking, or the state of being shaken. Gayton.

Quas"si*a (?), n. [NL. From the name of a negro, Quassy, or Quash, who prescribed this article as a specific.] The wood of several tropical American trees of the order Simarubeæ, as Quassia amara, Picræna excelsa, and Simaruba amara. It is intensely bitter, and is used in medicine and sometimes as a substitute for hops in making beer.

Quas"sin (?), n. [Cf. F. quassine. See Quassia.] (Chem.) The bitter principle of quassia, extracted as a white crystalline substance; -- formerly called quassite. [Written also quassīin, and quassine.]

Quat (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (a) A pustule. [Obs.] (b) An annoying, worthless person. Shak.

Quat, v. t. To satiate; to satisfy. [Prov. Eng.]

Qua"ta (?), n. (Zoöl.) The coaita.

Quatch (?), a. Squat; flat. [Obs.] Shak.

Qua"ter-cous`in (?), n. [F. quatre four + cousin, E. cousin.] A cousin within the first four degrees of kindred.

Qua*ter"na*ry (?), a. [L. quaternarius consisting of four each, containing four, fr. quaterni four each, fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quaternaire. See Four.]

1. Consisting of four; by fours, or in sets of four.

2. (Geol.) Later than, or subsequent to, the Tertiary; Post-tertiary; as, the Quaternary age, or Age of man.

Qua*ter"na*ry, n. [L. numerus quaternarius: cf. F. quaternaire.] 1. The number four. Boyle.

2. (Geol.) The Quaternary age, era, or formation. See the Chart of Geology.

Qua*ter"nate (?), a. Composed of, or arranged in, sets of four; quaternary; as, quaternate leaves.

Qua*ter"ni*on (?), n. [L. quaternio, fr. quaterni four each. See Quaternary.] 1. The number four. [Poetic]

2. A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken collectively; a group of four words, phrases, circumstances, facts, or the like.

Delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers.
Acts xii. 4.

Ye elements, the eldest birth
Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run.
Milton.

The triads and quaternions with which he loaded his sentences.
Sir W. Scott.

3. A word of four syllables; a quadrisyllable.

4. (Math.) The quotient of two vectors, or of two directed right lines in space, considered as depending on four geometrical elements, and as expressible by an algebraic symbol of quadrinomial form.

&fist; The science or calculus of quaternions is a new mathematical method, in which the conception of a quaternion is unfolded and symbolically expressed, and is applied to various classes of algebraical, geometrical, and physical questions, so as to discover theorems, and to arrive at the solution of problems. Sir W. R. Hamilton.

Qua*ter"ni*on, v. t. To divide into quaternions, files, or companies. Milton.

Qua*ter"ni*ty (?), n. [LL. quaternitas, fr. L. quaterni four each: cf. F. quaternité.] 1. The number four. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

2. The union of four in one, as of four persons; -- analogous to the theological term trinity.

Qua"ter*on (?), n. See 2d Quarteron.

Qua*torz"ain (?), n. [See Quatorze.] A poem of fourteen lines; a sonnet. R. H. Stoddard.

Qua*torze" (?), n. [F. quatorze fourteen, L. quattuordecim. See Fourteen.] The four aces, kings, queens, knaves, or tens, in the game of piquet; -- so called because quatorze counts as fourteen points.

Quat"rain (?), n. [F., fr. quatre four, L. quattuor, quatuor. See Four.] (Pros.) A stanza of four lines rhyming alternately. Dryden.

Qua"tre (?), n. [F.] A card, die. or domino, having four spots, or pips

{ Qua"tre*feuille (?), Qua"tre*foil (?), } n. [F. quatre feuilles.] Same as Quarterfoil.

Quat"u*or (?), n. [F., fr. L. quattuor, quatuor, four. See Quartet.] (Mus.) A quartet; -- applied chiefly to instrumental compositions.

Quave (?), n. See Quaver. [Obs.]

Quave, v. i. To quaver. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Quave"mire` (?), n. See Quagmire. [Obs.]

Qua"ver, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Quavering.] [OE. quaven to shake, to tremble; cf. LG. quabbeln to shake, to be soft, of fat substances, quabbe a fat lump of flesh, a dewlap, D. kwabbe, and E. quiver, v.] 1. To tremble; to vibrate; to shake. Sir I. Newton.

2. Especially, to shake the voice; to utter or form sound with rapid or tremulous vibrations, as in singing; also, to trill on a musical instrument

Qua"ver, v. t. To utter with quavers.

We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some sprightly airs of the opera.
Addison.

Qua"ver, n. 1. A shake, or rapid and tremulous vibration, of the voice, or of an instrument of music.

2. (Mus.) An eighth note. See Eighth.

Qua"ver*er (?), n. One who quavers; a warbler.

Quay (?), n. [F. quai. See Key quay.] A mole, bank, or wharf, formed toward the sea, or at the side of a harbor, river, or other navigable water, for convenience in loading and unloading vessels. [Written also key.]

Quay (?), v. t. To furnish with quays.

Quay"age (?), n. [F.] Wharfage. [Also keyage.]

Quayd (?), p. p. of Quail. [Obs.] Spenser.

Que (?), n. [Cf. 3d Cue.] A half farthing. [Obs.]

Queach (?), n. [Cf. Quick.] A thick, bushy plot; a thicket. [Obs.] Chapman.

Queach, v. i. [Cf. E.