quartern

/'kwɔ:tən/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
quartern

A baker weighs a quartern of flour on a scale.

Definition

Noun: 1. A quarter of a unit of measure, especially a quarter of a pound (avoirdupois) or a quarter of a pint: Historically, a unit of measurement equal to one-fourth of a standard measure, commonly used for weight (especially of bread) or volume (especially of liquids like milk or spirits). 2. A loaf of bread weighing four pounds: A specific type of loaf, also called a "quartern loaf," which weighs four pounds, historically common in Britain.

Usage
  • The term "quartern" is now archaic and is rarely used in modern, everyday English. It is primarily found in historical texts, old recipes, or discussions of historical measurements.
  • It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The recipe called for a quartern of flour. (The recipe required a quarter of a pound of flour.)
    • In the 19th century, a quartern loaf was a standard purchase for many families.
    • He ordered a quartern of gin at the old tavern.
Advanced Usage
  • "Quartern loaf": A specific historical term for a loaf of bread weighing four pounds. This term explicitly combines "quartern" with "loaf" to specify the item.
  • The word often appears in contexts describing old English markets, baking, or pub measures before the widespread adoption of the metric system.
Variants and Related Words
  • Quarter (n): The modern and general term for one of four equal parts. "Quartern" is a specific, historical variant of "quarter" used for measurements.
  • Pint (n): A unit of volume. A quartern was a quarter-pint.
  • Pound (n): A unit of weight (avoirdupois). A quartern was a quarter-pound.
Synonyms
  • Quarter: (The primary synonym, though less specific to historical measures)
  • Fourth: (One of four equal parts)
Notes on Different Meanings

The core meaning is always one fourth of a specific unit. The exact meaning depends on the context: 1. When referring to weight: It typically means a quarter of a pound (approx. 113 grams). 2. When referring to volume: It typically means a quarter of a pint (in Imperial measure, approx. 142 ml). 3. When referring to bread ("quartern loaf"): It specifies a loaf weighing four pounds, not a quarter of a loaf. Here, "quartern" modifies "loaf" to indicate its size.

quartern

A baker weighs a quartern of flour on a scale.

Noun
  1. one of four equal parts
    • a quarter of a pound

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