Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of dividing something into four equal or approximately equal parts: "Quartering" can refer to the process of cutting or separating something into four quarters.
   • The provision of living accommodations, especially for military personnel: Historically, "quartering" refers to the act of assigning lodgings, particularly the compulsory housing of soldiers in private homes.
   • A heraldic charge occupying one quarter of a shield: In heraldry, a "quartering" is one of the sections of a shield divided into four, or a coat of arms that occupies such a section, often representing familial alliances.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The quartering of the apple was done with precision. (The act of dividing the apple into four parts was done with precision.)
  • The Quartering Act of 1765 required the American colonies to provide quartering for British troops. (The law required the colonies to provide living accommodations for soldiers.)
  • The family shield features a lion in the second quartering. (The family's coat of arms has a lion in the second section of the divided shield.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be subject to quartering": To be forced to provide lodging for soldiers.
  • The citizens resented being subject to quartering during the occupation.

Variants and Related Words

• Quarter (noun/verb): One of four equal parts; to divide into four parts; to provide with lodging.
• Quartermaster (noun): A military officer responsible for providing quarters and supplies.

Synonyms

• Division (into four parts): Bisecting, sectioning.
• Billeting: Lodging, housing (especially for military).

Related Phrases

• Drawing and quartering: A historical method of execution involving dismemberment. (Note: This is a specific, compound historical term).
  • The traitor was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Related Idioms

• No quarter given: Showing no mercy or providing no shelter (originating from the military sense of not sparing an enemy's life or not providing prisoner lodgings).
  • The general ordered his troops to give no quarter.

Noun

1. dividing into four equal parts
2. living accommodations (especially those assigned to military personnel)
3. a coat of arms that occupies one quarter of an escutcheon; combining four coats of arms on one shield usually represented intermarriages