quarter on, quarteroon

[QUADROON.] quar-tērş, s. pl. [QUARTER, 8.] quar-ter-staff, s . [English quarter , and staff (q. v.).] A stout staff used as a weapon of offense or defense. It was generally about 61⁄2 feet long, and loaded with iron at each end. It was grasped by one hand in the middle, and by the other between the middle and one end. In use the latter hand was pa ed rapidly from one quarter of the staff to the other, thus giving the weapon a rapid circular motion, and bringing the loaded ends on the adversary at unexpected points.