Quarter

(kwor'tr.) [ L. quart us. The fourth part of any thing, the fractional notation for which is 14; it is also abbreviated qr.-(Ast.) The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly revolution. Thus from the new moon to the quadrature is the first quarter; from the latter to full moon, the second quarter, and so on. -(Shipbuilding.) That part of a ship's hull which lies from the steerage to the transom.-(Mil.) (pl.) Military lodgings or cantonments; thus, head-quarters signifies the place of residence of the commander of an army, which is generally near the centre. Winter-quarters are the places in which troops are lodged during the winter; or it signifies their residence in those places. [s. 747]