Q \Q\ (k[=u]),
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, [sect]
249. Q is not found in Anglo-Saxon, cw being used instead of
qu; as in cwic, quick; cwen, queen. The name (k[=u]) 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 Ph[oe]nician, 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 \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 \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 \Quab\, v. i.
See {Quob}, v. i.
Qua-bird \Qua"-bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The American night heron. See under {Night}.
Quacha \Qua"cha\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The quagga.
Quack \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 \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 \Quack\, a.
Pertaining to or characterized by, boasting and pretension;
used by quacks; pretending to cure diseases; as, a quack
medicine; a quack doctor.
Quackery \Quack"er*y\, n.; pl. {Quackeries}.
The acts, arts, or boastful pretensions of a quack; false
pretensions to any art; empiricism. --Carlyle.
Quack grass \Quack" grass`\ (Bot.)
See {Quitch grass}.
Quackish \Quack"ish\, a.
Like a quack; boasting; characterized by quackery. --Burke.
Quackism \Quack"ism\, n.
Quackery. --Carlyle.
Quackle \Quac"kle\, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. {Quackled}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Quackling}.] [Cf.{Querken}.]
To suffocate; to choke. [Prov. Eng.]
Quacksalver \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 \Quad\, Quade \Quade\, a. [Akin to AS. cw[=ae]d, cwead,
dung, evil, G. kot, dung, OHG. qu[=a]t.]
Evil; bad; baffling; as, a quade wind. [Obs.]
Sooth play, quad play, as the Fleming saith. --Chaucer.
Quad \Quad\, n. (Print.)
A quadrat.
Quad \Quad\, n. (Arch.)
A quadrangle; hence, a prison. [Cant or Slang]
Quadra \Quad"ra\, n.; pl. {Quadr[ae]}. [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.
Quadrable \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.
Quadragenarious \Quad`ra*ge*na"ri*ous\, a. [L. quadragenarius,
fr. qyadrageni forty each.]
Consisting of forty; forty years old.
Quadragene \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.
Quadragesima \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.
Quadragesimal \Quad`ra*ges"i*mal\, a. [Cf. F. quadrag['e]simal.]
Belonging to Lent; used in Lent; Lenten.
Quadragesimals \Quad`ra*ges"i*mals\, n. pl.
Offerings formerly made to the mother church of a diocese on
Mid-Lent Sunday.
Quadrangle \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.
Quadrangular \Quad*ran"gu*lar\, a. [Cf. F. quadrangulaire.]
Having four angles, and consequently four sides; tetragonal.
-- {Quad*ran"gu*lar*ly}, adv.
Quadrans \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}.
Quadrant \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[deg], 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 co["o]rdinate 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[deg], 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.
Quadrantal \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[deg].
{Quadrantal versor}, a versor that expresses rotation through
one right angle.
Quadrantal \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.]
Quadrat \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}.
Quadrate \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.
Quadrate \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[deg], or the quarter of a
circle; quartile. See the {Note} under {Aspect}, 6.
3. (Anat.) The quadrate bone.
Quadrate \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.
Quadrate \Quad"rate\, v. t.
To adjust (a gun) on its carriage; also, to train (a gun) for
horizontal firing.
Quadratic \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.
Quadratics \Quad*rat"ics\, n. (Alg.)
That branch of algebra which treats of quadratic equations.
Quadratojugal \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.
Quadratrix \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.
Quadrature \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[deg], 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.
Quadrel \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.
Quadrennial \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.
Quadrennially \Quad*ren"ni*al*ly\, adv.
Once in four years.
Quadrennium \Quad*ren"ni*um\, n. [NL. See {Quadrennial}.]
A space or period of four years.
Quadri- \Quad"ri-\ [L., from quattuor four. See {Four}.]
A combining form meaning four, four times, fourfold; as,
quadricapsular, having four capsules.
Quadribasic \Quad`ri*ba"sic\, a. [Quadri- + basic.] (Chem.)
Same as {Tetrabasic}.
Quadrible \Quad"ri*ble\, a.
Quadrable. [R.]
Quadric \Quad"ric\, a. (Math.)
Of or pertaining to the second degree.
Quadric \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.
Quadricapsular \Quad`ri*cap"su*lar\, a. [Quadri- + capsular.]
(Bot.)
Having four capsules.
Quadriceps \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.
Quadricipital \Quad`ri*cip"i*tal\, n. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the quadriceps.
Quadricorn \Quad"ri*corn\, n. [See {Quadricornous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any quadricornous animal.
Quadricornous \Quad`ri*cor"nous\, a. [Quadri- + L. cornu horn:
cf. F. quadricorne.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having four horns, or hornlike organs; as, a quadricornous
beetle.
Quadricostate \Quad`ri*cos"tate\, a. [Quadri- + costate.]
Having four ribs.
Quadridentate \Quad`ri*den"tate\, a. [Quadri- + dentate.]
Having four teeth; as, a quadridentate leaf.
Quadriennial \Quad`ri*en"ni*al\, a.
Same as {Quadrennial}.
Quadrifarious \Quad`ri*fa"ri*ous\, a. [L. quadrifarius fourfold,
fr. quattuor four: cf. F. quadrifari['e]. Cf.
{Multifarious}.]
Arranged in four rows or ranks; as, quadrifarious leaves.
--Loudon.
Quadrifid \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.
Quadrifoil \Quad"ri*foil\, Quadrifoliate \Quad`ri*fo"li*ate\, a.
[Quadri- + L. folium leaf.] (Bot.)
Four-leaved; having the leaves in whorls of four.
Quadrifurcated \Quad`ri*fur"ca*ted\, a. [Quadri- + furcated.]
Having four forks, or branches.
Quadriga \Quad*ri"ga\, n.; pl. {Quadrig[ae]}. [L. See
{Quadrijugous}.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast.
Quadrigeminal \Quad`ri*gem"i*nal\, Quadrigeminous
\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.
Quadrigenarious \Quad`ri*ge*na"ri*ous\, a. [L. quadrigeni,
quadringeni, four hundred each.]
Consisting of four hundred.
Quadrijugate \Quad*rij"u*gate\, a.
Same as {Quadrijugous}.
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.
Quadrilateral \Quad`ri*lat"er*al\, a. [L. quadrilaterus: cf. F.
quadrilat[`e]re, quadrilat['e]ral. See {Quadri-} and
{Lateral}.]
Having four sides, and consequently four angles;
quadrangular.
Quadrilateral \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.
Quadrilateralness \Quad`ri*lat"er*al*ness\, n.
The property of being quadrilateral.
Quadriliteral \Quad`ri*lit"er*al\, a. [Quadri- + literal.]
Consisting of four letters.
Quadrille \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.
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.
Quadrillion \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}.
Quadrilobate \Quad`ri*lo"bate\, Quadrilobed \Quad`ri*lobed\, a.
[Quadri- + lobe: cf. F. quadrilob['e].]
Having four lobes; as, a quadrilobate leaf.
Quadrilocular \Quad`ri*loc"u*lar\, a. [Quadri- + locular: cf. F.
quadriloculaire.]
Having four cells, or cavities; as, a quadrilocular heart.
Quadrin \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.]
Quadrinodal \Quad`ri*nod"al\, a. [Quadri- + nodal.] (Math.)
Possessing four nodes; as, quadrinodal curves.
Quadrinomial \Quad`ri*no"mi*al\, n. [Quadri- + nomial, as in
binomial: cf. F. quadrin[^o]me.] (Alg.)
A polynomial of four terms connected by the signs plus or
minus.
Quadrinomical \Quad`ri*nom"ic*al\, a.
Quadrinomial.
Quadrinominal \Quad`ri*nom"i*nal\, a. [Quadri- + nominal.]
(Alg.)
Quadrinomial. --Sir W. R. Hamilton.
Quadripartite \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.
Quadripartitely \Quad*rip"ar*tite*ly\, adv.
In four parts.
Quadripartition \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.
Quadripennate \Quad`ri*pen"nate\, a. [Quadri- + pennate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having four wings; -- said of insects.
Quadriphyllous \Quad*riph"yl*lous\, a. [Quadri + Gr. ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having four leaves; quadrifoliate.
Quadrireme \Quad"ri*reme\, n. [L. quadriremis; quattuor four +
remus an oar: cf. F. quadrir[`e]me.] (Antiq.)
A galley with four banks of oars or rowers.
Quadrisection \Quad`ri*sec"tion\, n. [Quadri- + section.]
A subdivision into four parts.
Quadrisulcate \Quad`ri*sul"cate\, a. [Quadri + sulcate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having four hoofs; as, a quadrisulcate foot; a quadrisulcate
animal.
Quadrisyllabic \Quad`ri*syl*lab"ic\, Quadri-syllabical
\Quad`ri-syl*lab"ic*al\,
Having four syllables; of or pertaining to quadrisyllables;
as, a quadrisyllabic word.
Quadrisyllable \Quad`ri*syl"la*ble\, n. [Quadri- + syllable: cf.
F. quadrisyllabe.]
A word consisting of four syllables. --De Quincey.
Quadrivalence \Quad*riv"a*lence\, n. (Chem.)
The quality or state of being quadrivalent; tetravalence.
Quadrivalent \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.
Quadrivalve \Quad"ri*valve\, a. [Quadri- + valve: cf. F.
quadrivalve.] (Bot.)
Dehiscent into four similar parts; four-valved; as, a
quadrivalve pericarp.
Quadrivalve \Quad"ri*valve\, n. (Arch.)
A door, shutter, or the like, having four folds.
Quadrivalvular \Quad`ri*val"vu*lar\, a.
Having four valves; quadrivalve.
Quadrivial \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.
Quadrivial \Quad*riv"i*al\, n.
One of the four ``liberal arts'' making up the quadrivium.
Quadrivium \Quad*riv"i*um\, n. [L.]
The four ``liberal arts,'' arithmetic, music, geometry, and
astronomy; -- so called by the schoolmen. See {Trivium}.
Quadroon \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}.]
Quadroxide \Quad*rox"ide\, n. [Quadri- + oxide.] (Chem.)
A tetroxide. [R.]
Quadrumana \Quad*ru"ma*na\, n. pl. [NL. See {Quadrumane}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
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.
Quadrumane \Quad"ru*mane\, n. [L. quattuor four + manus a hand:
cf. F. quadrumane.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Quadrumana.
Quadrumanous \Quad*ru"ma*nous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having four hands; of or pertaining to the Quadrumana.
Quadruped \Quad"ru*ped\, a. [L. quadrupes, -pedis; quattuor four
+ pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. quadrup[`e]de. See {Quadrate},
and {Foot}.]
Having four feet.
Quadruped \Quad"ru*ped\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An animal having four feet, as most mammals and reptiles; --
often restricted to the mammals.
Quadrupedal \Quad*ru"pe*dal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having four feet; of or pertaining to a quadruped.
Quadruple \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.
Quadruple \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.
Quadruple \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.
Quadruple \Quad"ru*ple\, v. i.
To be multiplied by four; to increase fourfold; to become
four times as much.
Quadruplex \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.
Quadruplicate \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.
Quadruplicate \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.]
Quadruplication \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.
Quadruply \Quad"ru*ply\, adv.
To a fourfold quantity; so as to be, or cause to be,
quadruple; as, to be quadruply recompensed.
Quaere \Qu[ae]"re\, v. imperative. [L., imperative of quaerere
to seek.]
Inquire; question; see; -- used to signify doubt or to
suggest investigation.
Quaestor \Qu[ae]s"tor\, n. [L.]
Same as {Questor}.
Quaff \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 \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.
Quaffer \Quaff"er\, n.
One who quaffs, or drinks largely.
Quag \Quag\, n.
A quagmire. [R.] ``Crooked or straight, through quags or
thorny dells.'' --Cowper.
Quagga \Quag"ga\, n. [Hottentot.] (Zo["o]l.)
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.
Quaggy \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.
Quagmire \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.
Quahog \Qua"hog\, Quahaug \Qua"haug\, n. [Abbrev. fr.
Narragansett Indian poqua[^u]hock.] (Zo["o]l.)
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}.
Note: The name is also applied to other allied species, as
{Venus Mortoni} of the Gulf of Mexico.
Quaigh \Quaigh\, Quaich \Quaich\, n. [Gael. cuach. Cf. {Quaff}.]
A small shallow cup or drinking vessel. [Scot.] [Written also
{quegh}.]
Quail \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 \Quail\, v. t. [Cf. {Quell}.]
To cause to fail in spirit or power; to quell; to crush; to
subdue. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Quail \Quail\, v. i. [OF. coaillier, F. cailler, from L.
coagulare. See {Coagulate}.]
To curdle; to coagulate, as milk. [Obs.] --Holland.
Quail \Quail\, n. [OF. quaille, F. caille, LL. quaquila, qualia,
qualea, of Dutch or German origin; cf. D. kwakkel, kwartel,
OHG. wahtala, G. wachtel.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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. (Zo["o]l.) 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. (Zo["o]l.) 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), 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} {(Zo["o]l.)}, any one of several American ground
pigeons belonging to {Geotrygon} and allied genera.
{Quail hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the New Zealand sparrow hawk
({Hieracidea Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]}).
{Quail pipe}. See {Quail call}, above.
{Quail snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the dowitcher, or red-breasted
snipe; -- called also {robin snipe}, and {brown snipe}.
{Sea quail} (Zo["o]l.), the turnstone. [Local, U. S.]
Quaily \Quail"y\, n. [Cf. {Quail} the bird.] (Zo["o]l.)
The upland plover. [Canadian]
Quaint \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}.
Usage: 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.
Quaintise \Quain"tise\, n. [OF. cointise.]
1. Craft; subtlety; cunning. [Obs.] --Chaucer. R. of Glouces.
2. Elegance; beauty. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quaintly \Quaint"ly\, adv.
In a quaint manner. --Shak.
Quaintness \Quaint"ness\, n.
The quality of being quaint. --Pope.
Quair \Quair\, n. [See 3d {Quire}.]
A quire; a book. [Obs.] ``The king's quhair.'' --James I. (of
Scotland).
Quake \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 \Quake\, v. t. [Cf. AS. cweccan to move, shake. See
{Quake}, v. t.]
To cause to quake. [Obs.] --Shak.
Quake \Quake\, n.
A tremulous agitation; a quick vibratory movement; a shudder;
a quivering.
Quaker \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. (Zo["o]l.)
(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 c[ae]rulea}), with pretty four-lobed corollas
which are pale blue with a yellowish center; -- also
called {bluets}, and {little innocents}.
Quakeress \Quak"er*ess\, n.
A woman who is a member of the Society of Friends.
Quakerish \Quak"er*ish\, a.
Like or pertaining to a Quaker; Quakerlike.
Quakerism \Quak"er*ism\, n.
The peculiar character, manners, tenets, etc., of the
Quakers.
Quakerlike \Quak"er*like\, a.
Like a Quaker.
Quakerly \Quak"er*ly\, a.
Resembling Quakers; Quakerlike; Quakerish. --Macaulay.
Quakery \Quak"er*y\, n.
Quakerism. [Obs.] --Hallywell.
Quaketail \Quake"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A wagtail.
Quakness \Quak"ness\, n.
The state of being quaky; liability to quake.
Quaking \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}).
Quakingly \Quak"ing*ly\, adv.
In a quaking manner; fearfully. --Sir P. Sidney.
Quaky \Quak"y\, a.
Shaky, or tremulous; quaking.
Qualifiable \Qual"i*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being qualified; abatable; modifiable. --Barrow.
Qualification \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.
Qualificative \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.
Qualificator \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.
Qualified \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.
Usage: {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.
Qualifiedly \Qual"i*fied`ly\, adv.
In the way of qualification; with modification or
qualification.
Qualifiedness \Qual"i*fied`ness\, n.
The state of being qualified.
Qualifier \Qual"i*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, qualifies; that which modifies,
reduces, tempers or restrains.
Qualify \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.
Qualify \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.
Qualitative \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.
Qualitied \Qual"i*tied\, a.
Furnished with qualities; endowed. [Obs.] ``He was well
qualitied.'' --Chapman.
Quality \Qual"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Qualities}. [F. qualit['e], 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.
Note: 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 \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.
Qualmish \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.
Quamash \Quam"ash\, n. (Bot.)
See {Camass}.
Quamoclit \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 {Ipom[oe]a Quamoclit}). The
genus is now merged in Ipom[oe]a.
Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, n.; pl. {Quandaries}. [Prob. fr. OE.
wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandr[ae][eth]i
difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.]
A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.
Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, v. t.
To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or
difficulty. [Obs.] --Otway.
Quandong \Quan"dong\, n. (Bot.)
The edible drupaceous fruit of an Australian tree ({Fusanus
acuminatus}) of the Sandalwood family; -- called also
{quandang}.
Quandy \Quan"dy\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
The old squaw. [Local, U. S.]
Quannet \Quan"net\, n.
A flat file having the handle at one side, so as to be used
like a plane.
Quant \Quant\, n.
A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it
from sinking into the mud; a setting pole.
Quantic \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.
Quantification \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.
Quantity \Quan"ti*ty\, v. t. [L. quantus now much + -fy.]
To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to fix or
express the quantity of; to rate.
Quantitative \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.
Quantitive \Quan"ti*tive\, a. [See {Quantity}.]
Estimable according to quantity; quantitative. --Sir K.
Digby.
Quantitively \Quan"ti*tive*ly\, adv.
So as to be measurable by quantity; quantitatively.
Quantity \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.
Note: 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.
Quantivalence \Quan*tiv"a*lence\, n. [L. quantus how much + E.
valence.] (Chem.)
Valence. [Archaic]
Quantivalent \Quan*tiv"a*lent\, a. (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to quantivalence. [Archaic]
Quantum \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 \Quap\, v. i.
To quaver. [Obs.] See {Quob}.
Quaquaversal \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 \Quar\, n.
A quarry. [Prov. Eng.] --B. Jonson.
Quarantine \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.
Note: 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}.
Quarantine \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 \Quarl\, n. [Cf. G. qualle.] (Zo["o]l.)
A medusa, or jellyfish. [R.]
The jellied quarl that flings At once a thousand
streaming stings. --J. R. Drake.
Quarrel \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.
Quarrel \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.
Quarrel \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.
Quarrel \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.
Quarrel \Quar"rel\, n. [Written also quarreller.]
One who quarrels or wrangles; one who is quarrelsome. --Shak.
Quarrelet \Quar"rel*et\, n.
A little quarrel. See 1st {Quarrel}, 2. [Obs.] ``Quarrelets
of pearl [teeth].'' --Herrick.
Quarreling \Quar"rel*ing\, a.
Engaged in a quarrel; apt or disposed to quarrel; as,
quarreling factions; a quarreling mood. -- {Quar"rel*ing*ly},
adv.
Quarrellous \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.
Quarrelsome \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.
Quarried \Quar"ried\, a.
Provided with prey.
Now I am bravely quarried. --Beau. & Fl.
Quarrier \Quar"ri*er\, n.
A worker in a stone quarry.
Quarry \Quar"ry\, n. [OE. quarre, OF. quarr['e] square, F.
carr['e], from L. quadratus square, quadrate, quadratum a
square. See {Quadrate}, and cf. {Quarrel} an arrow.]
Same as 1st {Quarrel}. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
Quarry \Quar"ry\, a. [OF. quarr['e].]
Quadrate; square. [Obs.]
Quarry \Quar"ry\, n.; pl. {Quarries}. [OE. querre, OF.
cuiri['e]e, F. cur['e]e, 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.
Quarry \Quar"ry\, v. i.
To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy. --L'Estrange.
Quarry \Quar"ry\, n. [OE. quarrere, OF. quariere, F.
carri[`e]re, 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) .
Quarry \Quar"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quarried}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Quarrying}.]
To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble.
Quarry-faced \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.
Quarry-man \Quar"ry-man\, n.; pl. {Quarrymen}.
A man who is engaged in quarrying stones; a quarrier.
Quart \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 \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.
Note: 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 \Quart\, n. [See {Quart} a quarter.]
In cards, four successive cards of the same suit. Cf.
{Tierce}, 4. --Hoyle.
Quartan \Quar"tan\, a. [F. quartain, in fi[`e]vre 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.
Quartan \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.
Quartane \Quar"tane\, n. [L. quartus the fourth.] (Chem.)
Butane, each molecule of which has four carbon atoms.
Quartation \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 \Quarte\, n. [F.]
Same as 2d {Carte}.
Quartene \Quar"tene\, n. [Ouartane + ethylene.] (Chem.)
Same as {Butylene}.
Quartenylic \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.
Quarter \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.
Note: 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[deg] 15', that is, about 2[deg] 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.
Quartter \Quart"ter\, 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.
Note: When only two coats of arms are so combined they are
arranged in four compartments. See {Quarter}, n., 1
(f) .
Quarter \Quar"ter\, v. i.
To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter \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.
Quarterage \Quar"ter*age\, n.
A quarterly allowance.
Quarter-deck \Quar"ter-deck`\, n. (Naut.)
That part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the
poop deck when there is one.
Note: The quarter-deck is reserved as a promenade for the
officers and (in passenger vessels) for the cabin
passengers.
Quarterfoil \Quar"ter*foil`\, n. [Quarier + foil: cf. F.
quatre.] (Arch.)
An ornamental foliation having four lobes, or foils.
Quarterhung \Quar"ter*hung`\, a. (Ordnance)
Having trunnions the axes of which lie below the bore; --
said of a cannon.
Quartering \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.
Quartering \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.
Quarterly \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.
Quarterly \Quar"ter*ly\, n.; pl. {Quarterlies}.
A periodical work published once a quarter, or four times in
a year.
Quarterly \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.
Quartermaster \Quar"ter*mas`ter\, n. [Quarter + master: cf. F.
quartier-ma[^i]tre.]
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}.
Quartern \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.
Quarteron \Quar"ter*on\, n. [F. See {Quartern}.]
A quarter; esp., a quarter of a pound, or a quarter of a
hundred. --Piers Plowman.
Quarteron \Quar"ter*on\, Quarteroon \Quar"ter*oon\, n.
A quadroon.
Quarterpace \Quar"ter*pace`\, n. (Arch.)
A platform of a staircase where the stair turns at a right
angle only. See {Halfpace}.
Quarter round \Quar"ter round`\ (Arch.)
An ovolo.
Quarterstaff \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.
Quartet \Quar*tet"\, Quartette \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.
Quartic \Quar"tic\, a. [L. quartus fourth.] (Mach.)
Of the fourth degree.
Quartic \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.
Quartile \Quar"tile\, n. [F. quartile aspect, fr. L. quartus the
fourth. See {Quart}.] (Astrol.)
Same as {Quadrate}.
Quartine \Quar"tine\, n. [F., fr. L. quartus the fourth.] (Bot.)
A supposed fourth integument of an ovule, counting from the
outside.
Quarto \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.
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.
Quartridge \Quar"tridge\, n.
Quarterage. [Obs.]
Quartz \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.
Note: 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.
Quartziferous \Quartz*if"er*ous\, a. [Quartz + -ferous.] (Min.)
Consisting chiefly of quartz; containing quartz.
Quartzite \Quartz"ite\, n. [Cf. F. quartzite.] (Min.)
Massive quartz occurring as a rock; a metamorphosed
sandstone; -- called also {quartz rock}.
Quartzoid \Quartz"oid\, n. [Quartz + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
A form of crystal common with quartz, consisting of two
six-sided pyramids, base to base.
Quartzose \Quartz"ose`\, a. [Cf. F. quartzeux, G. quarzig.]
(Min.)
Containing, or resembling, quartz; partaking of the nature or
qualities of quartz.
quartzous \quartz"ous\, a. (Min.)
Quarzose.
Quartzy \Quartz"y\, a. (Min.)
Quartzose.
Quas \Quas\, n.
A kind of beer. Same as {Quass}.
Quaschi \Quas"chi\, Quasje \Quas"je\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The brown coati. See {Coati}.
Quash \Quash\, n.
Same as {Squash}.
Quash \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 \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 \Quash\, v. i.
To be shaken, or dashed about, with noise.
Quashee \Quash"ee\, n.
A negro of the West Indies.
Quasi \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.
Quasimodo \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 \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}.]
Quassation \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.
Quassia \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
{Simarube[ae]}, as {Quassia amara}, {Picr[ae]na excelsa}, and
{Simaruba amara}. It is intensely bitter, and is used in
medicine and sometimes as a substitute for hops in making
beer.
Quassin \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 {quass[=i]in}, and {quassine}.]
Quat \Quat\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(a) A pustule. [Obs.]
(b) An annoying, worthless person. --Shak.
Quat \Quat\, v. t.
To satiate; to satisfy. [Prov. Eng.]
Quata \Qua"ta\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The coaita.
Quatch \Quatch\, a.
Squat; flat. [Obs.] --Shak.
Quater-cousin \Qua"ter-cous`in\, n. [F. quatre four + cousin, E.
cousin.]
A cousin within the first four degrees of kindred.
Quaternary \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.
Quaternary \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}.
Quaternate \Qua*ter"nate\, a.
Composed of, or arranged in, sets of four; quaternary; as,
quaternate leaves.
Quaternion \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.
Note: 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.
Quaternion \Qua*ter"ni*on\, v. t.
To divide into quaternions, files, or companies. --Milton.
Quaternity \Qua*ter"ni*ty\, n. [LL. quaternitas, fr. L. quaterni
four each: cf. F. quaternit['e].]
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.
Quateron \Qua"ter*on\, n.
See 2d {Quarteron}.
Quatorzain \Qua*torz"ain\, n. [See {Quatorze}.]
A poem of fourteen lines; a sonnet. --R. H. Stoddard.
Quatorze \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.
Quatrain \Quat"rain\, n. [F., fr. quatre four, L. quattuor,
quatuor. See {Four}.] (Pros.)
A stanza of four lines rhyming alternately. --Dryden.
Quatre \Qua"tre\, n. [F.]
A card, die. or domino, having four spots, or pips
Quatrefeuille \Qua"tre*feuille\, Quatrefoil \Qua"tre*foil\, n.
[F. quatre feuilles.]
Same as {Quarterfoil}.
Quatuor \Quat"u*or\, n. [F., fr. L. quattuor, quatuor, four. See
{Quartet}.] (Mus.)
A quartet; -- applied chiefly to instrumental compositions.
Quave \Quave\, n.
See {Quaver}. [Obs.]
Quave \Quave\, v. i.
To quaver. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Quavemire \Quave"mire`\, n.
See {Quagmire}. [Obs.]
Quaver \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
Quaver \Qua"ver\, v. t.
To utter with quavers.
We shall hear her quavering them . . . to some
sprightly airs of the opera. --Addison.
Quaver \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}.
Quaverer \Qua"ver*er\, n.
One who quavers; a warbler.
Quay \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 \Quay\, v. t.
To furnish with quays.
Quayage \Quay"age\, n. [F.]
Wharfage. [Also {keyage}.]
Quayd \Quayd\,
p. p. of {Quail}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Que \Que\, n. [Cf. 3d {Cue}.]
A half farthing. [Obs.]
Queach \Queach\, n. [Cf. {Quick}.]
A thick, bushy plot; a thicket. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Queach \Queach\, v. i. [Cf. E. quich, v. i., quick, v. i.; or
AS. cweccan to shake.]
To stir; to move. See {Quick}, v. i. [Obs.]
Queachy \Queach"y\, a.
1. Yielding or trembling under the feet, as moist or boggy
ground; shaking; moving. ``The queachy fens.'' ``Godwin's
queachy sands.'' --Drayton.
2. Like a queach; thick; bushy. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Quean \Quean\, n. [Originally, a woman, AS. cwene; akin to OS.
quena, OHG. quena, Icel. kona, Goth qin?, and AS. cw['e]n,
also to Gr. ? woman, wife, Skr. gn[=a] goddess. Cf. {Queen}.]
1. A woman; a young or unmarried woman; a girl. [Obs. or
Scot.] --Chaucer.
2. A low woman; a wench; a slut. ``The dread of every
scolding quean.'' --Gay.
Queasily \Quea"si*ly\, adv.
In a queasy manner.
Queasiness \Quea"si*ness\, n.
The state of being queasy; nausea; qualmishness;
squeamishness. --Shak.
Queasy \Quea"sy\, a. [Icel. kweisa pain; cf. Norw. kveis
sickness after a debauch.]
1. Sick at the stomach; affected with nausea; inclined to
vomit; qualmish.
2. Fastidious; squeamish; delicate; easily disturbed;
unsettled; ticklish. `` A queasy question.'' --Shak.
Some seek, when queasy conscience has its qualms.
--Cowper.
Quebec group \Que*bec" group`\ (Geol.)
The middle of the three groups into which the rocks of the
Canadian period have been divided in the American Lower
Silurian system. See the Chart of {Geology}.
Quebracho \Que*bra"cho\, n. [Sp.] (Bot.)
A Chilian apocynaceous tree ({Aspidosperma Quebracho}); also,
its bark, which is used as a febrifuge, and for dyspn[oe]a of
the lung, or bronchial diseases; -- called also {white
quebracho}, to distinguish it from the red quebracho, a
Mexican anacardiaceous tree ({Loxopterygium Lorentzii}) whose
bark is said to have similar properties. --J. Smith (Dict.
Econ. Plants).
Quebrith \Queb"rith\, n. [OE. quebrit, quibrith, Ar. kibr[=i]t.]
(Alchemy)
Sulphur. [Obs.]
Quech \Quech\, Queck \Queck\, v. i. [Cf. {Quick}, {Queach}.]
A word occurring in a corrupt passage of Bacon's Essays, and
probably meaning, to stir, to move.
Queen \Queen\, n. [OE. quen, quene, queen, quean, AS. cw[=e]n
wife, queen, woman; akin to OS. qu[=a]n wife, woman, Icel.
kv[=a]n wife, queen, Goth. q[=e]ns. [root]221. See {Quean}.]
1. The wife of a king.
2. A woman who is the sovereign of a kingdom; a female
monarch; as, Elizabeth, queen of England; Mary, queen of
Scots.
In faith, and by the heaven's quene. --Chaucer.
3. A woman eminent in power or attractions; the highest of
her kind; as, a queen in society; -- also used
figuratively of cities, countries, etc. `` This queen of
cities.'' `` Albion, queen of isles.'' --Cowper.
4. The fertile, or fully developed, female of social bees,
ants, and termites.
5. (Chess) The most powerful, and except the king the most
important, piece in a set of chessmen.
6. A playing card bearing the picture of a queen; as, the
queen of spades.
{Queen apple}. [Cf. OE. quyne aple quince apple.] A kind of
apple; a queening. ``Queen apples and red cherries.''
--Spenser.
{Queen bee} (Zo["o]l.), a female bee, especially the female
of the honeybee. See {Honeybee}.
{Queen conch} (Zo["o]l.), a very large West Indian cameo
conch ({Cassis cameo}). It is much used for making cameos.
{Queen consort}, the wife of a reigning king. --Blackstone.
{Queen dowager}, the widow of a king.
{Queen gold}, formerly a revenue of the queen consort of
England, arising from gifts, fines, etc.
{Queen mother}, a queen dowager who is also mother of the
reigning king or queen.
{Queen of May}. See {May queen}, under {May}.
{Queen of the meadow} (Bot.), a European herbaceous plant
({Spir[ae]a Ulmaria}). See {Meadowsweet}.
{Queen of the prairie} (Bot.), an American herb ({Spir[ae]a
lobata}) with ample clusters of pale pink flowers.
{Queen pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of very
large and handsome crested ground pigeons of the genus
{Goura}, native of New Guinea and the adjacent islands.
They are mostly pale blue, or ash-blue, marked with white,
and have a large occipital crest of spatulate feathers.
Called also {crowned pigeon}, {goura}, and {Victoria
pigeon}.
{Queen regent}, or {Queen regnant}, a queen reigning in her
own right.
{Queen's Bench}. See {King's Bench}.
{Queen's counsel}, {Queen's evidence}. See {King's counsel},
{King's evidence}, under {King}.
{Queen's delight} (Bot.), an American plant ({Stillinqia
sylvatica}) of the Spurge family, having an herbaceous
stem and a perennial woody root.
{Queen's metal} (Metal.), an alloy somewhat resembling pewter
or britannia, and consisting essentially of tin with a
slight admixture of antimony, bismuth, and lead or copper.
{Queen's pigeon}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Queen pigeon}, above.
{Queen's ware}, glazed English earthenware of a cream color.
{Queen's yellow} (Old Chem.), a heavy yellow powder
consisting of a basic mercuric sulphate; -- formerly
called {turpetum minerale}, or {Turbith's mineral}.
Queen \Queen\, v. i.
To act the part of a queen. --Shak.
Queen \Queen\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Queened}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Queening}.] (Chess.)
To make a queen (or other piece, at the player's discretion)
of by moving it to the eighth row; as, to queen a pawn.
Queencraft \Queen"craft`\, n.
Craft or skill in policy on the part of a queen.
Elizabeth showed much queencraft in procuring the votes
of the nobility. --Fuller.
Queendom \Queen"dom\, n.
The dominion, condition, or character of a queen. --Mrs.
Browning.
Queenfish \Queen"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A California sci[ae]noid food fish ({Seriphys politus}). The
back is bluish, and the sides and belly bright silvery.
Called also {kingfish}.
Queenhood \Queen"hood\, n.
The state, personality, or character of a queen; queenliness.
--Tennyson.
Queening \Queen"ing\, n. [See {Queen apple}.] (Bot.)
Any one of several kinds of apples, as {summer queening},
{scarlet queening}, and {early queening}. An apple called the
queening was cultivated in England two hundred years ago.
Queenliness \Queen"li*ness\, n.
The quality of being queenly; the; characteristic of a queen;
stateliness; eminence among women in attractions or power.
Queenly \Queen"ly\, a. [AS. cw[=e]nlic feminine.]
Like, becoming, or suitable to, a queen.
Oueen-post \Oueen"-post`\, n. [Arch.]
One of two suspending posts in a roof truss, or other framed
truss of similar form. See {King-post}.
Queenship \Queen"ship\, n.
The state, rank, or dignity of a queen.
Queensland nut \Queens"land nut`\ (Bot.)
The nut of an Australian tree ({Macadamia ternifolia}). It is
about an inch in diameter, and contains a single round edible
seed, or sometimes two hemispherical seeds. So called from
Queensland in Australia.
Queen truss \Queen" truss\ (Arch.)
A truss framed with queen-posts; a queen-post truss.
Queer \Queer\, a. [Compar. {Queerer}; superl. {Queerest}.] [G.
quer cross, oblique, athwart (cf. querkopf a queer fellow),
{OHG}. twer, twerh, dwerah; akin to D. dvars, AS,
[thorn]weorh thwart, bent, twisted, Icel. [thorn]verr thwart,
transverse, Goth. [thorn]wa[`i]rhs angry, and perh. to L.
torqyere to twist, and E. through. Cf. {Torture}, {Through},
{Thwart}, a.]
1. At variance with what is usual or normal; differing in
some odd way from what is ordinary; odd; singular;
strange; whimsical; as, a queer story or act. `` A queer
look.'' --W. Irving.
2. Mysterious; suspicious; questionable; as, a queer
transaction. [Colloq.]
Queer \Queer\, n.
Counterfeit money. [Slang]
{To shove the queer}, to put counterfeit money in
circulation. [Slang]
Queerish \Queer"ish\, a.
Rather queer; somewhat singular.
Queerly \Queer"ly\, adv.
In a queer or odd manner.
Queerness \Queer"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being queer.
Queest \Queest\, n. [Cf. Icel. kvisa a kind of bird, kvistr a
branch of a tree, and E. cushat.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European ringdove ({Columba palumbus}); the cushat.
[Written also {quist}, {queeze}, {quice}, {queece}.] See
{Ringdove}.
Quegh \Quegh\, n.
A drinking vessel. See {Quaich}.
Queint \Queint\, a.
See {Quaint}. [Obs.]
Queint \Queint\, obs.
imp. & p. p. of {Quench}. --Chaucer.
Queintise \Queint"ise\, n.
See {Quaintise}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quell \Quell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quelled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quelling}.] [See {Quail} to cower.]
1. To die. [Obs.]
Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
--Spenser.
2. To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate. [R.]
Winter's wrath begins to quell. --Spenser.
Quell \Quell\, v. t. [OE. quellen to kill, AS. cwellan,
causative of cwelan to die; akin to OHG. quellen to torment,
Icel. kvelja. See {Quail} to cower.]
1. To take the life of; to kill. [Obs.] --Spenser.
The ducks cried as [if] men would them quelle.
--Chaucer.
2. To overpower; to subdue; to put down.
The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the
sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected
minority. --Macaulay.
Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt.
--Longfellow.
3. To quiet; to allay; to pacify; to cause to yield or cease;
as, to quell grief; to quell the tumult of the soul.
Much did his words the gentle lady quell. --Spenser.
Syn: to subdue; crush; overpower; reduce; put down; repress;
suppress; quiet; allay; calm; pacify.
Quell \Quell\, n.
Murder. [Obs.] --Shak.
Queller \Quell"er\, n.
1. A killer; as, Jack the Giant Queller. [Obs.] --Wyclif
(Mark vi. 27).
2. One who quells; one who overpowers or subdues.
Quellio \Quel"li*o\, n. [Sp. cuello, L. collum neck.]
A ruff for the neck. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Quelquechose \Quelque"chose`\, n. [F. quelque chose something.]
A trifle; a kickshaw. --Donne.
Queme \Queme\, v. t. & i. [AS. cw[=e]man, akin to cuman to come.
[root]23.]
To please. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quemeful \Queme"ful\, a.
Kindly; merciful. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Quench \Quench\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quenched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quenching}.] [OE. quenchen, AS. cwencan in [=a]cwencan, to
extinguish utterly, causative of cwincan, [=a]cwincan, to
decrease, disappear; cf. AS. cw[=i]nan, [=a]cw[=i]nan, to
waste or dwindle away.]
1. To extinguish; to overwhelm; to make an end of; -- said of
flame and fire, of things burning, and figuratively of
sensations and emotions; as, to quench flame; to quench a
candle; to quench thirst, love, hate, etc.
Ere our blood shall quench that fire. --Shak.
The supposition of the lady's death Will quench the
wonder of her infamy. --Shak.
2. To cool suddenly, as heated steel, in tempering.
Syn: To extinguish; still; stifle; allay; cool; check.
Quench \Quench\, v. i.
To become extinguished; to go out; to become calm or cool.
[R.]
Dost thou think in time She will not quench! --Shak.
Quenchable \Quench"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being quenched.
Quencher \Quench"er\, n.
One who, or that which, quenches. --Hammond.
Quenchless \Quench"less\, a.
Incapable of being quenched; inextinguishable; as, quenchless
fire or fury. ``Once kindled, quenchless evermore.'' --Byron.
Syn: Inextinguishable; unquenchable. -- {Quench"less*ly},
adv. -- {Quench"less*ness}, n.
Quenelle \Que*nelle"\, n. [F.] (Cookery)
A kind of delicate forcemeat, commonly poached and used as a
dish by itself or for garnishing.
Quenouille training \Que*nouille train"ing\ [F. quenouille
distaff.] (Hort.)
A method of training trees or shrubs in the shape of a cone
or distaff by tying down the branches and pruning.
Quercitannic \Quer`ci*tan"nic\, a. [L. quercus an oak + E.
tannic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a tannic acid found in oak
bark and extracted as a yellowish brown amorphous substance.
Quercite \Quer"cite\, n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, {C6H7(OH)5}, found in acorns,
the fruit of the oak ({Quercus}). It has a sweet taste, and
is regarded as a pentacid alcohol.
Quercitin \Quer"ci*tin\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance, occurring quite widely
distributed in the vegetable kingdom, as is apple-tree bark,
horse-chestnut leaves, etc., but originally obtained by the
decomposition of quercitrin. Called also {meletin}.
Quercitrin \Quer"cit*rin\, n. [Cf. F. quercitrin. See
{Quercitron}.] (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from the bark of the oak ({Quercus}) as
a bitter citron-yellow crystalline substance, used as a
pigment and called {quercitron}.
Quercitron \Quer"cit*ron\, n. [F. quercitron, the name of the
name of tree; L. quercus an oak + citrus the citron tree.]
1. The yellow inner bark of the {Quercus tinctoria}, the
American black oak, yellow oak, dyer's oak, or quercitron
oak, a large forest tree growing from Maine to eastern
Texas.
2. Quercitrin, used as a pigment. See {Quercitrin}.
Quercus \Quer"cus\, n. [L., an oak.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees constituted by the oak. See {Oak}.
Querele \Quer"ele\, n. [See 2d {Quarrel}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A complaint to a court. See {Audita Querela}. [Obs.]
--Ayliffe.
Querent \Que"rent\, n. [L. querens, p. pr. of queri to
complain.] (O. Eng. Law)
A complainant; a plaintiff.
Querent \Que"rent\, n. [L. quaerens, p. pr. of quaerere to
search for, to inquire.]
An inquirer. [Obs.] --Aubrey.
Quermonious \Quer`*mo"ni*ous\, a. [L. querimonia a complaint,
fr. queri to complain. See {Querulous}.]
Complaining; querulous; apt to complain. --
{Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Quer`i*mo"ni*ous*ness}, n.
Querimony \Quer"i*mo*ny\, n. [L. querimonia.]
A complaint or complaining. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Querist \Que"rist\, n. [See {Query}.]
One who inquires, or asks questions. --Swift.
Querken \Querk"en\, v. t. [Icel. kverk throat. ?.]
To stifle or choke. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Querl \Querl\, v. t. [G. querlen, quirlen, to twirl, to turn
round, fr. querl, querl, a twirling stick. Cf. {Twirl}.]
To twirl; to turn or wind round; to coil; as, to querl a
cord, thread, or rope. [Local, U.S.]
Querl \Querl\, n.
A coil; a twirl; as, the qwerl of hair on the fore leg of a
blooded horse. [Local, U. S.]
Quern \Quern\, n. [AS. cweorn, cwyrn; akin to D. kweern, OHG.
quirn, Icel. kvern, Sw. qvarn, Dan. qu[ae]rn, Goth. qairnus
(in asiluqa['i]rnus), Lith. q[`i]rnos, and perh. E. corn.]
A mill for grinding grain, the upper stone of which was
turned by hand; -- used before the invention of windmills and
watermills. --Shak.
They made him at the querne grind. --Chaucer.
Querpo \Quer"po\, n.
The inner or body garments taken together. See {Cuerpo}.
--Dryden.
Querquedule \Quer"que*dule\, n. [L. querquedula.] (Zool.)
(a) A teal.
(b) The pintail duck.
Querry \Quer"ry\, n.
A groom; an equerry. [Obs.]
Querulential \Quer`u*len"tial\, a.
Querulous. [R.]
Querulous \Quer"u*lous\, a. [L. querulus and querulosus, fr.
queri to complain. Cf. {Cry}, v., {Quarrel} a brawl,
{Quarrelous}.]
1. Given to quarreling; quarrelsome. [Obs.] --land.
2. Apt to find fault; habitually complaining; disposed to
murmur; as, a querulous man or people.
Enmity can hardly be more annoying that querulous,
jealous, exacting fondness. --Macaulay.
3. Expressing complaint; fretful; whining; as, a querulous
tone of voice.
Syn: Complaining; bewailing; lamenting; whining; mourning;
murmuring; discontented; dissatisfied. --
{Quer"u*lous*ly}, adv. -- {Quer"u*lous*ness}, n.
Query \Que"ry\, n.; pl. {Queries}. [L. quaere, imperative sing.
of quaerere, quaesitum to seek or search for, to ask,
inquire. Cf. {Acquire}, {Conquer}, {Exquisite}, {Quest},
{Require}.]
1. A question; an inquiry to be answered or solved.
I shall conclude with proposing only some queries,
in order to a . . . search to be made by others.
--Sir I.
Newton.
2. A question in the mind; a doubt; as, I have a query about
his sincerity.
3. An interrogation point [?] as the sign of a question or a
doubt.
Query \Que"ry\, v. i.
1. To ask questions; to make inquiry.
Each prompt to query, answer, and debate. --Pope.
2. To have a doubt; as, I query if he is right.
Query \Que"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Queried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Querying}.]
1. To put questions about; to elicit by questioning; to
inquire into; as, to query the items or the amount; to
query the motive or the fact.
2. To address questions to; to examine by questions.
3. To doubt of; to regard with incredulity.
4. To write `` query'' (qu., qy., or ?) against, as a
doubtful spelling, or sense, in a proof. See {Qu[ae]re}.
Quesal \Que*sal"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The long-tailed, or resplendent, trogon ({Pharomachus
mocinno}, formerly {Trogon resplendens}), native of Southern
Mexico and Central America. Called also {quetzal}, and
{golden trogon}.
Note: The male is remarkable for the brilliant metallic green
and gold colors of his plumage, and for his extremely
long plumes, which often exceed three feet in length.
Quest \Quest\, n. [OF. queste, F. qu[^e]te, fr. L. quaerere,
quaesitum, to seek for, to ask. Cf. {Query}, {Question}.]
1. The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to
find or obtain; search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of
game, of a lost child, of property, etc.
Upon an hard adventure yet in quest. --Spenser.
Cease your quest of love. --Shak.
There ended was his quest, there ceased his care.
--Milton.
2. Request; desire; solicitation.
Gad not abroad at every quest and call Of an
untrained hope or passion. --Herbert.
3. Those who make search or inquiry, taken collectively.
The senate hath sent about three several quests to
search you out. --Shak.
4. Inquest; jury of inquest.
What lawful quest have given their verdict ? --Shak.
Quest \Quest\, v. t. [Cf. OF. quester, F. qu[^e]ter. See
{Quest}, n.]
To search for; to examine. [R.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Quest \Quest\, v. i.
To go on a quest; to make a search; to go in pursuit; to beg.
[R.]
If his questing had been unsuccessful, he appeased the
rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat.
--Macaulay.
Questant \Quest"ant\, n. [OF. questant, F. qu[^e]tant, p. pr.]
One who undertakes a quest; a seeker. [Obs.] --Shak.
Quester \Quest"er\, n.
One who seeks; a seeker. [Obs.]
Question \Ques"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. quaestio, fr. quaerere,
quaesitum, to seek for, ask, inquire. See {Quest}, n.]
1. The act of asking; interrogation; inquiry; as, to examine
by question and answer.
2. Discussion; debate; hence, objection; dispute; doubt; as,
the story is true beyond question; he obeyed without
question.
There arose a question between some of John's
disciples and the Jews about purifying. -- John iii.
25.
It is to be to question, whether it be lawful for
Christian princes to make an invasive war simply for
the propagation of the faith. -- Bacon.
3. Examination with reference to a decisive result;
investigation; specifically, a judicial or official
investigation; also, examination under torture.
--Blackstone.
He that was in question for the robbery. Shak. The
Scottish privy council had power to put state
prisoners to the question. --Macaulay.
4. That which is asked; inquiry; interrogatory; query.
But this question asked Puts me in doubt. Lives
there who loves his pain ? --Milton.
5. Hence, a subject of investigation, examination, or debate;
theme of inquiry; matter to be inquired into; as, a
delicate or doubtful question.
6. Talk; conversation; speech; speech. [Obs.] --Shak.
{In question}, in debate; in the course of examination or
discussion; as, the matter or point in question.
{Leading question}. See under {Leading}.
{Out of question}, unquestionably. ``Out of question, 't is
Maria's hand.'' --Shak.
{Out of the question}. See under {Out}.
{Past question}, beyond question; certainly; undoubtedly;
unquestionably.
{Previous question}, a question put to a parliamentary
assembly upon the motion of a member, in order to
ascertain whether it is the will of the body to vote at
once, without further debate, on the subject under
consideration.
Note: The form of the question is: ``Shall the main question
be now put?'' If the vote is in the affirmative, the
matter before the body must be voted upon as it then
stands, without further general debate or the
submission of new amendments. In the House of
Representatives of the United States, and generally in
America, a negative decision operates to keep the
business before the body as if the motion had not been
made; but in the English Parliament, it operates to
postpone consideration for the day, and until the
subject may be again introduced. In American practice,
the object of the motion is to hasten action, and it is
made by a friend of the measure. In English practice,
the object is to get rid of the subject for the time
being, and the motion is made with a purpose of voting
against it. --Cushing.
{To beg the question}. See under {Beg}.
{To the question}, to the point in dispute; to the real
matter under debate.
Syn: Point; topic; subject.
Question \Ques"tion\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Questioned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Questioning}.] [Cf. F. questionner. See {Question},
n.]
1. To ask questions; to inquire.
He that questioneth much shall learn much. --Bacon.
2. To argue; to converse; to dispute. [Obs.]
I pray you, think you question with the Jew. --Shak.
Question \Ques"tion\, v. t.
1. To inquire of by asking questions; to examine by
interrogatories; as, to question a witness.
2. To doubt of; to be uncertain of; to query.
And most we question what we most desire. --Prior.
3. To raise a question about; to call in question; to make
objection to. ``But have power and right to question thy
bold entrance on this place.'' --Milton.
4. To talk to; to converse with.
With many holiday and lady terms he questioned me.
-- Shak.
Syn: To ask; interrogate; catechise; doubt; controvert;
dispute.
Usage: Question, Inquire, Interrogate. To inquire is merely
to ask for information, and implies no authority in
the one who asks. To interrogate is to put repeated
questions in a formal or systematic fashion to elicit
some particular fact or facts. To question has a wider
sense than to interrogate, and often implies an
attitude of distrust or opposition on the part of the
questioner.
Questionability \Ques`tion*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state or condition of being questionable. --Stallo.
Questionable \Ques"tion*a*ble\, a.
1. Admitting of being questioned; inviting, or seeming to
invite, inquiry. [R.]
Thou com'st in such a questionable shape That I will
speak to thee. -- Shak.
2. Liable to question; subject to be doubted or called in
question; problematical; doubtful; suspicious.
It is questionable whether Galen ever saw the
dissection of a human body.T. -- Baker.
Syn: Disputable; debatable; uncertain; doubtful;
problematical; suspicious.
Questionableness \Ques"tion*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being questionable, doubtful, or
suspicious.
Questionably \Ques"tion*a*bly\, adv.
In a questionable manner.
Questionary \Ques"tion*a*ry\, a.
Inquiring; asking questions; testing. ``Questionary
epistles.'' --Pope.
Questionary \Ques"tion*a*ry\, n.
One who makes it his business to seek after relics and carry
them about for sale.
Questioner \Ques"tion*er\, n.
One who asks questions; an inquirer. ``Little time for idle
questioners.'' --Tennyson.
Questionist \Ques"tion*ist\, n.
1. A questioner; an inquirer. [Obs.]
2. (Eng. Univ.) A candidate for honors or degrees who is near
the time of his examination.
Questionless \Ques"tion*less\, a.
Unquestioning; incurious. [R.]
Questionless \Ques"tion*less\, adv.
Beyond a question or doubt; doubtless; certainly.[R.]
--South.
What it was in the apostles' time, that, questionless,
it must be still. --Milton.
Questman \Quest"man\, n.; pl. {Questmen}.
One legally empowered to make quest of certain matters, esp.
of abuses of weights and measures. Specifically:
(a) A churchwarden's assistant; a sidesman. --Blount. [Obs.]
(b) A collector of parish rents. --Blount. [Obs.]
Questmonger \Quest"mon`ger\, n.
One who lays informations, and encourages petty lawsuits.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
Questor \Ques"tor\, n. [L. quaestor, contr. fr. quaesitor, fr.
quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, ask: cf. F. questeur.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
An officer who had the management of the public treasure; a
receiver of taxes, tribute, etc.; treasurer of state.
[Written also {qu[ae]stor}.]
Note: At an early period there were also public accusers
styled questors, but the office was soon abolished.
Questorship \Ques"tor*ship\, n.
The office, or the term of office, of a questor.
Questrist \Quest"rist\, n. [See {Quest}.]
A seeker; a pursuer. [Obs.] ``Hot questrists after him.''
--Shak.
Questuary \Ques"tu*a*ry\, a. [L. quaestuarius, from quaestus
gain, profit, quaerere, quaesitum, to seek for, earn.]
Studious of profit. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Questuary \Ques"tu*a*ry\, n.
One employed to collect profits. [R.] ``The pope's
questuaries.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Quet \Quet\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common guillemot. [Prov. Eng.]
Queue \Queue\, n. [F. See {Cue}.]
(a) A tail-like appendage of hair; a pigtail.
(b) A line of persons waiting anywhere.
Queue \Queue\, v. t.
To fasten, as hair, in a queue.
Quey \Quey\, n. [Cf. Dan. qvie.]
A heifer. [Scot.]
Quib \Quib\, n. [Cf. {Quip}.]
A quip; a gibe.
Quibble \Quib"ble\, n. [Probably fr. quib, quip, but influenced
by quillet, or quiddity.]
1. A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or
evasive distinction; an evasion; a cavil.
Quibbles have no place in the search after truth. --
I. Watts.
2. A pun; a low conceit.
Quibble \Quib"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quibbled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Quibbling}.]
1. To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon
words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or
impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or
discourse; to equivocate.
2. To pun; to practice punning. --Cudworth.
Syn: To cavil; shuffle; equivocate; trifle.
Quibbler \Quib"bler\, n.
One who quibbles; a caviler; also, a punster.
Quibblingly \Quib"bling*ly\, adv.
Triflingly; evasively.
Quica \Qui"ca\, n. [From the native Brazilian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small South American opossum ({Didelphys quica}), native of
Guiana and Brazil. It feeds upon insects, small birds, and
fruit.
Quice \Quice\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Queest}.
Quich \Quich\, v. i. [Cf. {Quinch}.]
To stir. [Obs.]
He could not move nor quich at all. -- Spenser.
Quick \Quick\, a. [Compar. {Quicker}; superl. {Quickest}.] [As.
cwic, cwicu, cwucu, cucu, living; akin to OS. quik, D. kwik,
OHG. quec, chec, G. keck bold, lively, Icel. kvikr living,
Goth. qius, Lith. q[=y]vas, Russ. zhivoi, L. vivus living,
vivere to live, Gr. bi`os life, Skr. j[=i]va living, j[=i]v
to live. Cf. {Biography}, {Vivid}, {Quitch grass},
{Whitlow}.]
1. Alive; living; animate; -- opposed to {dead} or
{inanimate}.
Not fully quyke, ne fully dead they were. --Chaucer.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. --2 Tim.
iv. 1.
Man is no star, but a quick coal Of mortal fire. --
Herbert.
Note: In this sense the word is nearly obsolete, except in
some compounds, or in particular phrases.
2. Characterized by life or liveliness; animated; sprightly;
agile; brisk; ready. `` A quick wit.'' --Shak.
3. Speedy; hasty; swift; not slow; as, be quick.
Oft he her his charge of quick return Repeated.
--Milton.
4. Impatient; passionate; hasty; eager; eager; sharp;
unceremonious; as, a quick temper.
The bishop was somewhat quick with them, and
signified that he was much offended. -- Latimer.
5. Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen.
The air is quick there, And it pierces and sharpens
the stomach. -- Shak.
6. Sensitive; perceptive in a high degree; ready; as, a quick
ear. ``To have an open ear, a quick eye.'' --Shak.
They say that women are so quick. --Tennyson.
7. Pregnant; with child. --Shak.
{Quick grass}. (Bot.) See {Quitch grass}.
{Quick match}. See under {Match}.
{Quick vein} (Mining), a vein of ore which is productive, not
barren.
{Quick vinegar}, vinegar made by allowing a weak solution of
alcohol to trickle slowly over shavings or other porous
material.
{Quick water}, quicksilver water.
{Quick with child}, pregnant with a living child.
Syn: Speedy; expeditious; swift; rapid; hasty; prompt; ready;
active; brisk; nimble; fleet; alert; agile; lively;
sprightly.
Quick \Quick\, adv.
In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste;
speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick.
If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind
are performed. -- Locke.
Quick \Quick\, n.
1. That which is quick, or alive; a living animal or plant;
especially, the hawthorn, or other plants used in making a
living hedge.
The works . . . are curiously hedged with quick.
--Evelyn.
2. The life; the mortal point; a vital part; a part
susceptible of serious injury or keen feeling; the
sensitive living flesh; the part of a finger or toe to
which the nail is attached; the tender emotions; as, to
cut a finger nail to the quick; to thrust a sword to the
quick, to taunt one to the quick; -- used figuratively.
This test nippeth, . . . this toucheth the quick.
--Latimer.
How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when
they come to the quick of the difference ! --Fuller.
3. (Bot.) Quitch grass. --Tennyson.
Quick \Quick\, v. t. & i. [See {Quicken}.]
To revive; to quicken; to be or become alive. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Quickbeam \Quick"beam`\, n. [A. S. cwicbe['a]m.]
See {Quicken tree}.
Quicken \Quick"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {quickened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Quickening}.] [AS. cwician. See {Quick}, a.]
1. To make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as
from death or an inanimate state; hence, to excite; to,
stimulate; to incite.
The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead.
--Shak.
Like a fruitful garden without an hedge, that
quickens the appetite to enjoy so tempting a prize.
-- South.
2. To make lively, active, or sprightly; to impart additional
energy to; to stimulate; to make quick or rapid; to
hasten; to accelerate; as, to quicken one's steps or
thoughts; to quicken one's departure or speed.
3. (Shipbuilding) To shorten the radius of (a curve); to make
(a curve) sharper; as, to quicken the sheer, that is, to
make its curve more pronounced.
Syn: To revive; resuscitate; animate; reinvigorate; vivify;
refresh; stimulate; sharpen; incite; hasten; accelerate;
expedite; dispatch; speed.
Quicken \Quick"en\, v. i.
1. To come to life; to become alive; to become vivified or
enlivened; hence, to exhibit signs of life; to move, as
the fetus in the womb.
The heart is the first part that quickens, and the
last that dies. -- Ray.
And keener lightnings quicken in her eye. --Pope.
When the pale and bloodless east began To quicken to
the sun. --Tennyson.
2. To move with rapidity or activity; to become accelerated;
as, his pulse quickened.
Quickener \Quick"en*er\, n.
One who, or that which, quickens.
Quickening \Quick"en*ing\, n.
1. The act or process of making or of becoming quick.
2. (Physiol.) The first motion of the fetus in the womb felt
by the mother, occurring usually about the middle of the
term of pregnancy. It has been popularly supposed to be
due to the fetus becoming possessed of independent life.
Quickens \Quick"ens\, n. (Bot.)
Quitch grass.
Quicken tree \Quick"en tree`\ [Probably from quick, and first
applied to the aspen or some tree with quivering leaves; cf.
G. quickenbaum, quizenbaum, quitschenbaum. Cf. {Quitch
grass}.] (Bot.)
The European rowan tree; -- called also {quickbeam}, and
{quickenbeam}. See {Rowan tree}.
Quickhatch \Quick"hatch`\, n. [From the American Indian name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The wolverine.
Quicklime \Quick"lime\, n. [See {Quick}, a.] (Chem.)
Calcium oxide; unslacked lime; -- so called because when wet
it develops great heat. See 4th {Lime}, 2.
Quickly \Quick"ly\, adv.
Speedily; with haste or celerity; soon; without delay; quick.
Quickness \Quick"ness\, n.
1. The condition or quality of being quick or living; life.
[Obs.]
Touch it with thy celestial quickness. --Herbert.
2. Activity; briskness; especially, rapidity of motion;
speed; celerity; as, quickness of wit.
This deed . . . must send thee hence With fiery
quickness. --Shak.
His mind had, indeed, great quickness and vigor. --
Macaulay.
3. Acuteness of perception; keen sensibility.
Would not quickness of sensation be an inconvenience
to an animal that must lie still ? --Locke
4. Sharpness; pungency of taste. --Mortimer.
Syn: Velocity; celerity; rapidity; speed; haste; expedition;
promptness; dispatch; swiftness; nimbleness; fleetness;
agility; briskness; liveliness; readiness; sagacity;
shrewdness; shrewdness; sharpness; keenness.
Quicksand \Quick"sand`\, n.
Sand easily moved or readily yielding to pressure;
especially, a deep mass of loose or moving sand mixed with
water, sometimes found at the mouth of a river or along some
coasts, and very dangerous, from the difficulty of
extricating a person who begins sinking into it.
Life hath quicksands, -- Life hath snares!
--Longfellow.
Quick-scented \Quick"-scent`ed\, a.
Acute of smell.
Quickset \Quick"set`\, n.
A living plant set to grow, esp. when set for a hedge;
specifically, the hawthorn.
Quickset \Quick"set`\, a.
Made of quickset.
Dates and pomegranates on the quickset hedges.
--Walpole.
Quickset \Quick"set`\, v. t.
To plant with living shrubs or trees for a hedge; as, to
quickset a ditch. --Mortimer.
Quick-sighted \Quick"-sight`ed\, a.
Having quick sight or acute discernment; quick to see or to
discern. --Locke. --{Quick"-sight`ed*ness}, n.
Quicksilver \Quick"sil`ver\, n. [Quick living + silver; -- so
called from its fluidity; cf. G. quecksilber, L. argentum
vivum. See {Quick}, a.] (Chem.)
The metal mercury; -- so called from its resemblance to
liquid silver.
{Quicksilver horizon}, a mercurial artificial horizon. See
under {Horizon}.
{Quicksilver water}, a solution of mercury nitrate used in
artificial silvering; quick water.
Quicksilvered \Quick"sil`vered\, a.
Overlaid with quicksilver, or with an amalgam of quicksilver
and tinfoil.
Quicksilvering \Quick"sil`ver*ing\, n.
The mercury and foil on the back of a looking-glass.
Quickstep \Quick"step`\, n. (Mus.)
A lively, spirited march; also, a lively style of dancing.
Quick-witted \Quick"-wit`ted\, a.
Having ready wit --Shak.
Quick-wittedness \Quick"-wit`ted*ness\, n.
Readiness of wit. ``Celtic quick-wittedness.'' --M. Arnold.
Quickwork \Quick"work`\, n. (Naut.) A term somewhat loosely used
to denote:
(a) All the submerged section of a vessel's planking.
(b) The planking between the spirketing and the clamps.
(c) The short planks between the portholes.
Quid \Quid\, n. [See {Cud}.]
A portion suitable to be chewed; a cud; as, a quid of
tobacco.
Quid \Quid\, v. t. (Man.)
To drop from the mouth, as food when partially chewed; --
said of horses. --Youatt.
Quidam \Qui"dam\, n. [L.]
Somebody; one unknown. --Spenser.
Quiddany \Quid"da*ny\, n. [L. cydoneum quince juice, quince
wine. See {Quince}.]
A confection of quinces, in consistency between a sirup and
marmalade.
Quiddative \Quid"da*tive\, a. [See {Quiddity}.]
Constituting, or containing, the essence of a thing;
quidditative.
Quiddit \Quid"dit\, n. [Cf. {Quiddity}, {Quillet}, and
{Quibble}.]
A subtilty; an equivocation. [Obs.] --Shak.
By some strange quiddit or some wrested clause.
--Drayton.
Quidditative \Quid"di*ta*tive\, a.
Quiddative.
Quiddity \Quid"di*ty\, n.; pl. {Quiddities}. [LL. quidditas, fr.
L. quid what, neut. of quis who, akin to E. who: cf. F.
quiddit['e].]
1. The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a
thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What
is it? `` The degree of nullity and quiddity.'' --Bacon.
The quiddity or characteristic difference of poetry
as distinguished from prose. --De Quincey.
2. A trifling nicety; a cavil; a quibble.
We laugh at the quiddities of those writers now.
--Coleridge.
Quiddle \Quid"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quiddled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Quiddling}.] [L. quid what.]
To spend time in trifling employments, or to attend to useful
subjects in an indifferent or superficial manner; to dawdle.
Quiddle \Quid"dle\, Quiddler \Quid"dler\, n.
One who wastes his energy about trifles. --Emerson.
Quidnunc \Quid"nunc\, n. [L., what now?]
One who is curious to know everything that passes; one who
knows, or pretends to know, all that is going on. ``The idle
stories of quidnuncs.'' --Motley.
Quiesce \Qui*esce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quiesced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Quiescing}.] [L. quiescere, akin to quies rest,
quiet. See {Quiet}, a. & n.]
To be silent, as a letter; to have no sound. --M. Stuart.
Quiescence \Qui*es"cence\, Quiescency \Qui*es"cen*cy\, n. [L.
quiescentia, fr. quiescens, p. pr.; cf. F. quiestence. See
{Quiesce}.]
The state or quality of being quiescent. ``Quiescence, bodily
and mental.'' --H. Spencer.
Deeds will be done; -- while be boasts his quiescence.
--R. Browning.
Quiescent \Qui*es"cent\, a. [L. quiescens, -entis, p. pr. of
quiescere: cf. F. quiescent. See {Quiesce}.]
1. Being in a state of repose; at rest; still; not moving;
as, a quiescent body or fluid.
2. Not ruffed with passion; unagitated; not in action; not
excited; quiet; dormant; resting.
In times of national security, the feeling of
patriotism . . . is so quiescent that it seems
hardly to exist. --Prof.
Wilson.
3. (Gram.) Not sounded; silent; as, y is quiescent in ``day''
and ``say.''
Quiescent \Qui*es"cent\, n. (Gram.)
A silent letter. --M. Stuart.
Quiescently \Qui*es"cent*ly\, adv.
In a quiescent manner.
Quiet \Qui"et\, a. [Compar. {Quieter}; superl. {Quietest}.] [L.
quietus, p. p. pf quiescere to rest, keep quiet; akin to
quies rest, and prob. to E. while, n. See {While}, and cf.
{Coy}, a., {Quiesce}, {Quietus}, {Quit}, a., {Quite},
{Requiem}.]
1. In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or
agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the
morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. --Judg.
xvi. 2.
2. Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.
3. Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled;
as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience. `` So quiet and so
sweet a style.'' --Shak.
That son, who on the quiet state of man Such trouble
brought. --Milton.
4. Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not
turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. --1 Pet.
iii. 4.
I will sit as quiet as a lamb. --Shak.
5. Not showy; not such as to attract attention;
undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet
movement.
Syn: Still; tranquil; calm; unruffled; smooth; unmolested;
undisturbed; placid; peaceful; mild; peaceable; meek;
contented.
Quiet \Qui"et\, n. [L. quies, -etis. See {Quiet}, a.]
1. The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an
hour or a time of quiet.
2. Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness;
tranquillity; peace; security.
And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet. --Milton.
{At quiet}, still; peaceful.
{In quiet}, quietly. `` I will depart in quiet.'' --Shak.
{Out of quiet}, disturbed; restless. [Obs.] ``She is much out
of quiet.'' --Shak.
Quiet \Qui"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quieted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quieting}.]
1. To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest,
or of silence.
2. To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to
tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors
or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.
Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace. --Shak.
Quiet \Qui"et\, v. i.
To become still, silent, or calm; -- often with down; as, be
soon quieted down.
Quietage \Qui"et*age\, n.
Quietness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Quieter \Qui"et*er\, n.
One who, or that which, quiets.
Quietism \Qui"et*ism\, n. [Cf. F. qui['e]tisme.]
1. Peace or tranquillity of mind; calmness; indifference;
apathy; dispassion; indisturbance; inaction.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) The system of the Quietists, who maintained
that religion consists in the withdrawal of the mind from
worldly interests and anxieties and its constant
employment in the passive contemplation of God and his
attributes.
Quietist \Qui"et*ist\, n. [Cf. F. qui['e]tiste.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of mystics originated in the seventeenth
century by Molinos, a Spanish priest living in Rome. See
{Quietism}.
Quietistic \Qui`et*is"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Quietists, or to Quietism.
Quietly \Qui"et*ly\, adv.
1. In a quiet state or manner; without motion; in a state of
rest; as, to lie or sit quietly.
2. Without tumult, alarm, dispute, or disturbance; peaceably;
as, to live quietly; to sleep quietly.
3. Calmly, without agitation or violent emotion; patiently;
as, to submit quietly to unavoidable evils.
4. Noiselessly; silently; without remark or violent movement;
in a manner to attract little or no observation; as, he
quietly left the room.
Quietness \Qui"et*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being quiet; freedom from noise,
agitation, disturbance, or excitement; stillness;
tranquillity; calmness.
I would have peace and quietness. --Shak.
Quietsome \Qui"et*some\, a.
Calm; still. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Quietude \Qui"e*tude\, n. [L. quietudo: cf. F. qui['e]tude.]
Rest; repose; quiet; tranquillity. --Shelley.
Quietus \Qui*e"tus\, n. [LL. quietus quit, discharged, L., at
rest, quiet, dead. See {Quiet}, a., and cf. {Quit}, a.]
Final discharge or acquittance, as from debt or obligation;
that which silences claims; (Fig.) rest; death.
When he himself might his quietus make With a bare
bodkin. --Shak.
Quill \Quill\, n. [Perhaps fr. F. quille ninepin (see
{Kayless}); but cf. also G. kiel a quill. MHG. kil, and Ir.
cuille a quill.]
1. One of the large feathers of a bird's wing, or one of the
rectrices of the tail; also, the stock of such a feather.
2. A pen for writing made by sharpening and splitting the
point or nib of the stock of a feather; as, history is the
proper subject of his quill. --Sir H. Wotton.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A spine of the hedgehog or porcupine.
(b) The pen of a squid. See {Pen}.
4. (Mus.)
(a) The plectrum with which musicians strike the strings
of certain instruments.
(b) The tube of a musical instrument.
He touched the tender stops of various quills.
--Milton.
5. Something having the form of a quill; as:
(a) The fold or plain of a ruff.
(b) (Weaving) A spindle, or spool, as of reed or wood,
upon which the thread for the woof is wound in a
shuttle.
(c) (Mach.) A hollow spindle.
{Quill bit}, a bit for boring resembling the half of a reed
split lengthways and having its end sharpened like a
gouge.
{Quill driver}, one who works with a pen; a writer; a clerk.
[Jocose]
{Quill nib}, a small quill pen made to be used with a holder.
--Simmonds.
Quill \Quill\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quilled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quilling}.]
1. To plaint in small cylindrical ridges, called quillings;
as, to quill a ruffle.
His cravat seemed quilled into a ruff. --Goldsmith.
2. To wind on a quill, as thread or yarn. --Judd.
Quillaia bark \Quil*la"ia bark`\ (Bot.)
The bark of a rosaceous tree ({Quillaja Saponaria}), native
of Chili. The bark is finely laminated, and very heavy with
alkaline substances, and is used commonly by the Chilians
instead of soap. Also called {soap bark}.
Quillback \Quill"back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American fresh-water fish ({Ictiobus, or Carpiodes,
cyprinus}); -- called also {carp sucker}, {sailfish},
{spearfish}, and {skimback}.
Quilled \Quilled\, a.
Furnished with quills; also, shaped like quills. ``A
sharp-quilled porcupine.'' --Shak.
{Quilled suture} (Surg.), a variety of stitch in which the
threads after being passed deeply through the edges of a
wound are secured about two quills or bodies of similar
shape, in order to produce a suitable degree of pressure.
Quillet \Quil"let\, n. [L. quidlibet what you please. Cf.
{Quiddit}, and {Quibble}.]
Subtilty; nicety; quibble. ``Nice, sharp quillets of the
law.'' --Shak.
Quilling \Quill"ing\, n.
(a) A band of linen, muslin, or the like, fluted, folded, or
plaited so as somewhat to resemble a row of quills.
(b) One of the rounded plaits or flutings of such a band.
Quillwort \Quill"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant or species of the genus {Isoetes}, cryptogamous
plants with a cluster of elongated four-tubed rushlike
leaves, rising from a corm, and containing spores in their
enlarged and excavated bases. There are about seventeen
American species, usually growing in the mud under still,
shallow water. So called from the shape of the shape of the
leaves.
Quilt \Quilt\, n. [OE. quilte, OF. cuilte, L. culcita ? bed,
cushion, mattress. Cf. 2d {Counterpoint}, {Cushion}.]
Anything that is quilted; esp., a quilted bed cover, or a
skirt worn by women; any cover or garment made by putting
wool, cotton, etc., between two cloths and stitching them
together; also, any outer bed cover.
The beds were covered with magnificent quilts.
--Arbuthnot.
Quilt \Quilt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quilted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quilting}.]
1. To stitch or sew together at frequent intervals, in order
to confine in place the several layers of cloth and
wadding of which a garment, comforter, etc., may be made;
as, to quilt a coat. --Dryden.
2. To wad, as a garment, with warm soft material.
3. To stitch or sew in lines or patterns.
Quilter \Quilt"er\, n.
One who, or that which, quilts.
Quilting \Quilt"ing\, n.
1. The act of stitching or running in patterns, as in making
a quilt.
2. A quilting bee. See {Bee}, 2.
3. The material used for making quilts.
4. (Naut.) A coating of strands of rope for a water vessel.
Quin \Quin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A European scallop ({Pecten opercularis}), used as food.
[Prov. Eng.]
Quinaldine \Quin*al"dine\, n. [Quinoline + aldehyde + aniline.]
(Chem.)
A colorless liquid of a slightly pungent odor, {C9H6N.CH3},
first obtained as a condensation product of aldehyde and
aniline, and regarded as a derivative of quinoline; -- called
also {methyl quinoline}. [Written also {chinaldine}.]
Quinary \Qui"na*ry\, a. [L. quinarius, from quini five each,
akin to quinque five: cf. F. quinaire. See {Five}.]
Consisting of five; arranged by fives. --Boyle.
{Quinary system} (Zo["o]l.), a fanciful classification based
on the hypothesis that each group contains five types.
Quiname \Qui"name\, a. [L. quini five each.] (Bot.)
Growing in sets of five; -- said especially of leaves
composed of five leaflets set at the end of a common petiole.
Quinate \Qui"nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of quinic acid. [Written also {kinate}.]
Quinazol \Quin"a*zol\, n. [Quinoline + azote.] (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous base related to cinnoline. [Written
also {chinazol}.]
Quince \Quince\, n. [Prob. a pl. from OE. quyne, coin, OF. coin,
cooin, F. coing, from L. Cydonius a quince tree, as adj.,
Cydonian, Gr. ? Cydonian, ? ? a quince, fr. ? Cydonia, a city
in Crete, ? the Cydonians. Cf. {Quiddany}.]
1. The fruit of a shrub ({Cydonia vulgaris}) belonging to the
same tribe as the apple. It somewhat resembles an apple,
but differs in having many seeds in each carpel. It has
hard flesh of high flavor, but very acid, and is largely
used for marmalade, jelly, and preserves.
2. (Bot.) a quince tree or shrub.
{Japan quince} (Bot.), an Eastern Asiatic shrub ({Cydonia},
formerly {Pyrus, Japonica}) and its very fragrant but
inedible fruit. The shrub has very showy flowers, usually
red, but sometimes pink or white, and is much grown for
ornament.
{Quince curculio} (Zo["o]l.), a small gray and yellow
curculio ({Conotrachelus crat[ae]gi}) whose larva lives in
quinces.
{Quince tree} (Bot.), the small tree ({Cydonia vulgaris})
which produces the quince.
Quincewort \Quince"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The squinancy. Called also {quinsywort}.
Quinch \Quinch\, v. i. [Cf. OD. quincken to quiver, shake,
Fries. quink hovering. Cf. {Quich}.]
To stir; to wince. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Quincuncial \Quin*cun"cial\, [L. quincuncialis, from quincunx.
See {Quincunx}.]
1. Having the form of a quincunx.
2. (Bot.) Having the leaves of a pentamerous calyx or corolla
so imbricated that two are exterior, two are interior, and
the other has one edge exterior and one interior; as,
quincuncial [ae]stivation.
{Quincuncial phyllotaxy} (Bot.), an arrangement of five
leaves in a spiral, each leaf two fifths of a circle from
the next.
Quincuncially \Quin*cun"cial*ly\, adv.
In the manner or order of a quincunx.
Quincunx \Quin"cunx\, n. [L., fr. quinque five + uncia an ounce.
The quincunx was marked by five small spots or balls. See
{Five}, and {Ounce} the weight.]
1. An arrangement of things by fives in a square or a
rectangle, one being placed at each corner and one in the
middle; especially, such an arrangement of trees repeated
indefinitely, so as to form a regular group with rows
running in various directions.
2. (Astrol.) The position of planets when distant from each
other five signs, or 150[deg]. --Hutton.
3. (Bot.) A quincuncial arrangement, as of the parts of a
flower in [ae]stivation. See {Quincuncial}, 2.
Quindecagon \Quin*dec"a*gon\, n. [L. quindecim fifteen + Gr. ?
angle.] (Geom.)
A plane figure with fifteen angles, and consequently fifteen
sides.
Quindecemvir \Quin`de*cem"vir\, n.; pl. E. {Quindecemvirs}, L.
{Quindecemviri}. [L., from quindecim fifteen + vir a man.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
One of a sacerdotal college of fifteen men whose chief duty
was to take care of the Sibylline books.
Quindecemvirate \Quin`de*cem"vi*rate\, n. [L. quindecimviratus.]
The body or office of the quindecemviri.
Quindecone \Quin*dec"one\, n. [L. quindecim fifteen.] (Chem.)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon, {C15H26}, of the valylene series,
produced artificially as an oily liquid. [Written also
{quindekone}.]
Quindecylic \Quin`de*cyl"ic\, n. [L. quindecim fifteen + -yl.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the fatty acid
series, containing fifteen atoms of carbon; called also
{pentadecylic} acid.
Quindem \Quin"dem\, n.
A fifteenth part. [Obs.]
Quindism \Quin"dism\, n.
A fifteenth. [Obs.] --Prynne.
Quinhydrone \Quin*hy"drone\, n. [Quinone + hydroquinone.]
(Chem.)
A green crystalline substance formed by the union of quinone
with hydroquinone, or as an intermediate product in the
oxidation of hydroquinone or the reduction of quinone.
[Written also {chinhydrone}.]
Quinia \Quin"i*a\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
Quinine.
Quinible \Quin"i*ble\, n. [L. quini five each.] (Mus.)
An interval of a fifth; also, a part sung with such
intervals. [Obs.] ``He sang . . . a loud quynyble.''
--Chaucer.
Quinic \Quin"ic\, a. [See {Quinine}, and cf. {Kinic}.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or connected with, quinine and
related compounds; specifically, designating a nonnitrogenous
acid obtained from cinchona bark, coffee, beans, etc., as a
white crystalline substance. [Written also {chinic},
{kinic}.]
Quinicine \Quin"i*cine\, n. (Chem.)
An uncrystallizable alkaloid obtained by the action of heat
from quinine, with which it is isomeric.
Quinidine \Quin"i*dine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid isomeric with, and resembling, quinine, found in
certain species of cinchona, from which it is extracted as a
bitter white crystalline substance; conchinine. It is used
somewhat as a febrifuge. [Written also {chinidine}.]
Quinine \Qui"nine\, n. [F. (cf. Sp. quinina), fr. Sp. quina, or
quinaquina, Peruvian bark, fr. Peruv. kina, quina, bark. Cf.
{Kinic}.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from the bark of several species of
cinchona (esp. {Cinchona Calisaya}) as a bitter white
crystalline substance, {C20H24N2O2}. Hence, by extension
(Med.), any of the salts of this alkaloid, as the acetate,
chloride, sulphate, etc., employed as a febrifuge or
antiperiodic. Called also {quinia}, {quinina}, etc. [Written
also {chinine}.]
Quininic \Qui*nin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid obtained as
a yellow crystalline substance by the oxidation of quinine.
Quininism \Qui"nin*ism\, Quinism \Qui"nism\, n. (Med.)
See {Cinchonism}.
Quinizarin \Qui*niz"a*rin\, [Hydroquinone + alizarin.] (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance produced artificially. It is
isomeric with alizarin.
Quinizine \Quin"i*zine\, n. [Quinoline + hydrazine.] (Chem.)
any one of a series of nitrogenous bases, certain of which
are used as antipyretics.
Quinnat \Quin"nat\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The California salmon ({Oncorhynchus choicha}); -- called
also {chouicha}, {king salmon}, {chinnook salmon}, and
{Sacramento salmon}. It is of great commercial importance.
[Written also {quinnet}.]
Quinoa \Qui*no"a\, n.
The seeds of a kind of goosewort ({Chenopodium Quinoa}), used
in Chili and Peru for making porridge or cakes; also, food
thus made.
Quinogen \Quin"o*gen\, n. [Quinine + -gen.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical of quinine and related alkaloids.
Quinoidine \Qui*noid"ine\, n. [Quinine + -oid.] (Med. (Chem.)
A brownish resinous substance obtained as a by-product in the
treatment of cinchona bark. It consists of a mixture of
several alkaloids. [Written also {chinoidine}.]
Quinoline \Quin"o*line\, n. [Quinine + L. oleum oil + -ine.]
(Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, {C9H7N} obtained as a pungent colorless
liquid by the distillation of alkaloids, bones, coal tar,
etc. It the nucleus of many organic bodies, especially of
certain alkaloids and related substances; hence, by
extension, any one of the series of alkaloidal bases of which
quinoline proper is the type. [Written also {chinoline}.]
Quinologist \Qui*nol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in quinology.
Quinology \Qui*nol"o*gy\, n. [Quinine + -logy.]
The science which treats of the cultivation of the cinchona,
and of its use in medicine.
Quinone \Qui"none\, n. [Quinine + ketone.] (Chem.)
A crystalline substance, {C6H4O2} (called also
{benzoketone}), first obtained by the oxidation of quinic
acid and regarded as a double ketone; also, by extension, any
one of the series of which quinone proper is the type.
[Written also {chinone}, {kinone}.]
Quinovic \Qui*no"vic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a crystalline acid obtained
from some varieties of cinchona bark. [Written also
{chinovic}, and {kinovic}.]
Quinovin \Qui*no"vin\, n. [NL. quina nova the tree Cosmibuena
magnifolia, whose bark yields quinovin.] (Chem.)
An amorphous bitter glucoside derived from cinchona and other
barks. Called also {quinova bitter}, and {quinova}. [Written
also {chinovin}, and {kinovin}.]
Quinoxaline \Quin*ox"a*line\, n. [Quinoline + glyoxal.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous bases obtained by
the union of certain aniline derivatives with glyoxal or with
certain ketones. [Written also {chinoxaline}.]
Quinoxyl \Quin*ox"yl\, n. [Quinone + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical of certain quinone derivatives
related to rhodizonic acid.
Quinoyl \Qui"noyl\, n. [Quinone + -yl.] (Chem.)
A radical of which quinone is the hydride, analogous to
phenyl. [Written also {kinoyl}.]
Quinquagesima \Quin`qua*ges"i*ma\, a. [L., fr. quinquagesimus
the fiftieth, akin to quinquaginta fifty, quinque five. See
{Five}.]
Fiftieth.
{Quinquagesima Sunday}, the Sunday which is the fiftieth day
before Easter, both days being included in the reckoning;
-- called also {Shrove Sunday}.
Quinquangular \Quin*quan"gu*lar\, a. [L. quinquanqulus; quinque
five + angulus ad angle: cf. F. quinquangulaire.]
Having five angles or corners.
Quinquarticular \Quin`quar*tic"u*lar\, a. [Quinque- + article.]
(Theol.)
Relating to the five articles or points; as, the
quinquarticular controversy between Arminians and Calvinists.
[Obs.] --Bp. Sanderson.
Quinque- \Quin"que-\ [L. quinque five. See {Five}.]
A combining form meaning five, five times, fivefold; as,
quinquefid, five-cleft; quinquedentate, five-toothed.
Quinqueangled \Quin"que*an`gled\, a. [Quinque- + angle.]
Having five angles; quinquangular.
Quinquedentate \Quin`que*den"tate\, Quinquedentated
\Quin`que*den"ta*ted\, a. [Quinque- + dentate, -tated: cf. F.
quinqu['e]dent['e].]
Five-toothed; as, a quinquedentate leaf.
Quinquefarious \Quin`que*fa"ri*ous\, a. [From L. quinque five:
cf. F. quinqu['e]fari['e]. Cf. {Bifarious}.] (Bot.)
Arranged in five vertical rows; pentastichous. --Gray.
Quinquefid \Quin"que*fid\, a. [Quique- + the root of L. findere
to cleave: cf. F. quinqu['e]fide.] (Bot.)
Sharply cut about halfway to the middle or base into five
segments; as, a quinquefid leaf or corolla.
Quinquefoliate \Quin`que*fo"li*ate\, Quinquefoliated
\Quin`que*fo"li*a`ted\, a. [Quinque- + foliate, -ated: cf. F.
quinqu['e]foli['e], L. quinquefolius.] (Bot.)
Having five leaves or leaflets. --Gray.
Quinque foliolate \Quin`que fo"li*o*late\, a. (Bot.)
Having five leaflets. --Gray.
Quinqueliteral \Quin`que*lit"er*al\, a. [Quinque- + literal.]
Consisting of five letters.
Quinquelobate \Quin`que*lo"bate\, Quinquelobared
\Quin`que*lo"ba*red\, a. [Quinque- + lobate, -ated: cf. F.
quinqu['e]lob['e].]
Cut less than halfway into portions, usually somewhat
rounded; five-lobed; as, a quinquelobate leaf or corolla.
Quinquelobed \Quin"que*lobed`\, a. [Quinque- + lobe.]
Same as {Quinquelobate}.
Quinquelocular \Quin`que*loc"u*lar\, a. [Quinque- + locular: cf.
F. quinqu['e]loculaire.]
Having five cells or loculi; five-celled; as, a
quinquelocular pericarp.
Quinquenerved \Quin"que*nerved`\, a. [Quinque- + nerve.] (Bot.)
Having five nerves; -- said of a leaf with five nearly equal
nerves or ribs rising from the end of the petiole.
Quinquennalia \Quin`quen*na"li*a\, n. pl. [L., fr.
quinquennalis. See {Ouinquennial}.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Public games celebrated every five years.
Quinquennial \Quin*quen"ni*al\, a. [L. quinquennalis and
quinquennis; quinque five + annus year. See {Five}, and cf.
{Biennial}.]
Occurring once in five years, or at the end of every five
years; also, lasting five years. A quinquennial event.
Quinquennium \Quin*quen"ni*um\, n. [L.]
Space of five years.
Quinquepartite \Quin*quep"ar*tite\, a. [L. quinquepartitus;
quinque five + partitus, p. p. of partire to divide: cf. F.
quinqu['e]partite.]
1. Consisting of five parts.
2. (Bot.) Divided into five parts almost to the base.
Quinquereme \Quin"que*reme\, n. [L. quinqueremis; quinque five +
remus an oar: cf. F. quinqu['e]r[`e]me]
A galley having five benches or banks of oars; as, an
Athenian quinquereme.
Quinquesyllable \Quin"que*syl`la*ble\, n. [Quinque- + syllable.]
A word of five syllables.
Quinquevalve \Quin"que*valve\, Quinquevalvular
\Quin`que*val"vu*lar\, a. [Quinque- + valve, valvular: cf. F.
quinqu['e]valve.] (Bot.)
Having five valves, as a pericarp.
Quinquevir \Quin"que*vir\, n.; pl; E. {Quinquevirs}, L.
{Quinqueviri}. [L., fr. quinque Five + vir man.] (Bot.
Antiq.)
One of five commissioners appointed for some special object.
Quinquina \Quin*qui"na\, n. [NL. & F. See {Quinine}.]
Peruvian bark.
Quinquivalent \Quin*quiv"a*lent\, a. [Quinque- + L. valens,
-entis, p. pr. See {Valence}.] (Chem.)
Same as {Pentavalent}.
Quinsy \Quin"sy\, n. [Contr. fr. squinancy, F. esquinancie, L.
cynanche a sort of sore throat, Gr. ? sore throat, dog
quinsy, fr. ? dog + ? to choke; cf. also L. synanche sore
throat, Gr. ?. Cf. {Hound}, {Anger}, and {Cynanche}.] (Med.)
An inflammation of the throat, or parts adjacent, especially
of the fauces or tonsils, attended by considerable swelling,
painful and impeded deglutition, and accompanied by
inflammatory fever. It sometimes creates danger of
suffocation; -- called also {squinancy}, and {squinzey}.
Quint \Quint\, n. [F. quinte, fr. L. quintus, quinta, the fifth,
quinque five. See {Five}.]
1. A set or sequence of five, as in piquet.
2. (Mus.) The interval of a fifth.
Quintain \Quin"tain\, n. [F. quintaine, LL. quintana; cf. W.
chwintan a kind of hymeneal game.]
An object to be tilted at; -- called also {quintel}. [Written
also {quintin}.]
Note: A common form in the Middle Ages was an upright post,
on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having on one
end a broad board, and on the other a sand bag. The
endeavor was to strike the board with the lance while
riding under, and get away without being hit by the
sand bag. ``But a quintain, a mere lifeless block.''
--Shak.
Quintal \Quin"tal\, n. [F., fr. Sp. quintal, fr. Ar. qintar a
weight of 100 lbs., prob. fr. L. centenarius consisting of a
hundred, fr. centeni a hundred each, fr. centum a hundred.
See {Hundred}, and cf. {Kentle}.]
1. A hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds, according to
the scale used. Cf. {Cental}. [Sometimes written and
pronounced {kentle}.]
2. A metric measure of weight, being 100,000 grams, or 100
kilograms, equal to 220.46 pounds avoirdupois.
Quintan \Quin"tan\, a. [L. quintanus, fr. quintus fifth, quinque
five. See {Five}.]
Occurring as the fifth, after four others also, occurring
every fifth day, reckoning inclusively; as, a quintan fever.
-- n. (Med.) An intermittent fever which returns every fifth
day, reckoning inclusively, or in which the intermission
lasts three days.
Quintel \Quin"tel\, n.
See {Quintain}.
Quintessence \Quin*tes"sence\, n. [F., fr. L. quinta essentia
fifth essence. See {Quint}, and {Essence}.]
1. The fifth or last and highest essence or power in a
natural body. See {Ferment oils}, under {Ferment}. [Obs.]
Note: The ancient Greeks recognized four elements, fire, air,
water, and earth. The Pythagoreans added a fifth and
called it nether, the fifth essence, which they said
flew upward at creation and out of it the stars were
made. The alchemists sometimes considered alcohol, or
the ferment oils, as the fifth essence.
2. Hence: An extract from anything, containing its rarest
virtue, or most subtle and essential constituent in a
small quantity; pure or concentrated essence.
Let there be light, said God; and forthwith light
Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung
from the deep. --Milton.
Quintessence \Quin*tes"sence\, v. t.
To distil or extract as a quintessence; to reduce to a
quintessence. [R.] --Stirling. ``Truth quintessenced and
raised to the highest power.'' --J. A. Symonds.
Quintessential \Quin`tes*sen"tial\, a.
Of the nature of a quintessence; purest. ``Quintessential
extract of mediocrity.'' --G. Eliot.
Quintet \Quin*tet"\, Quintette \Quin*tette"\, n. [It. quintetto,
dim. of quinto the fifth, a fifth part, from L. quintus the
fifth: cf. F. quintette. See {Quint}.] (Mus.)
A composition for five voices or instruments; also, the set
of five persons who sing or play five-part music.
Quintic \Quin"tic\, a. [L. quintus fifth, fr. quinque five.]
(Alg.)
Of the fifth degree or order. -- n. (Alg.) A quantic of the
fifth degree. See {Quantic}.
Quintile \Quin"tile\, n. [F. quintil aspect, fr. L. quintus the
fifth.] (Astron.)
The aspect of planets when separated the fifth part of the
zodiac, or 72[deg].
--Hutton.
Quintilllion \Quin*till"lion\, n. [Formed fr. L. quintus the
fifth, after the analogy of million: cf. F. quintillion. See
{Quint}.]
According to the French notation, which is used on the
Continent and in America, the cube of a million, or a unit
with eighteen ciphers annexed; according to the English
notation, a number produced by involving a million to the
fifth power, or a unit with thirty ciphers annexed. See the
Note under {Numeration}.
Quintin \Quin"tin\, n.
See {Quintain}.
Quintine \Quin"tine\, n. [L. quintus the fifth: cf. F.
quintine.] (Bot.)
The embryonic sac of an ovule, sometimes regarded as an
innermost fifth integument. Cf. {Quartine}, and {Tercine}.
Quintole \Quin"tole\, n. [It. quinto fifth.] (Mus.)
A group of five notes to be played or sung in the time of
four of the same species.
Quintuple \Quin"tu*ple\, a. [L. quintus fifth: cf. F. quintuple,
L. quintuplex. Cf. {Quadruple}.]
Multiplied by five; increased to five times the amount;
fivefold.
{Quintuple time} (Mus.), a time having five beats in a
measure. It is seldom used.
Quintuple \Quin"tu*ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quintupled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Quintupling}.] [Cf. F. quintupler.]
To make fivefold, or five times as much or many.
Quittuple-nerved \Quit"tu*ple-nerved`\, Quintuple-ribbed
\Quin"tu*ple-ribbed`\, a. (Bot.)
The same as {Quinquenerved}.
Quinzaine \Quin"zaine\, n. [F., from quinze fifteen, L.
quindecim. See {Fifteen}.]
The fifteenth day after a feast day, including both in the
reckoning. [Written also {quinzain}.]
Quinze \Quinze\, n. [F.]
A game at cards in which the object is to make fifteen
points.
Quip \Quip\, n. [Cf. W. chwip a quick flirt or turn, chwipio to
whip, to move briskly, and E. whip. Cf. {Quib}, {Quibble}.]
A smart, sarcastic turn or jest; a taunt; a severe retort; a
gibe.
Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. --Milton.
He was full of joke and jest, But all his merry quips
are o'er. --Tennyson.
Quip \Quip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quipped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quipping}.]
To taunt; to treat with quips.
The more he laughs, and does her closely quip.
--Spenser.
Quip \Quip\, v. i.
To scoff; to use taunts. --Sir H. Sidney.
Quipo \Qui"po\, n.
Same as {Quipu}.
Quipu \Qui"pu\, n.; pl. {Quipus}. [Peruv. quipu a knot.]
A contrivance employed by the ancient Peruvians, Mexicans,
etc., as a substitute for writing and figures, consisting of
a main cord, from which hung at certain distances smaller
cords of various colors, each having a special meaning, as
silver, gold, corn, soldiers. etc. Single, double, and triple
knots were tied in the smaller cords, representing definite
numbers. It was chiefly used for arithmetical purposes, and
to register important facts and events. [Written also
{quipo}.] --Tylor.
The mysterious science of the quipus . . . supplied the
Peruvians with the means of communicating their ideas
to one another, and of transmitting them to future
generations. --Prescott.
Quirboilly \Quir"boil*ly`\, n. [OE. cuir bouilli.]
Leather softened by boiling so as to take any required shape.
Upon drying, it becomes exceedingly hard, and hence was
formerly used for armor. [Obs.] ``His jambeux were of
quyrboilly.'' --Chaucer.
Quire \Quire\, n.
See {Choir}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
A quire of such enticing birds. --Shak.
Quire \Quire\, v. i.
To sing in concert. [R.] --Shak.
Quire \Quire\, n. [OE. quaer, quair, OF. quayer, cayer,
ca["i]er, F. cahier, a book of loose sheets, a quarter of a
quire, LL. quaternus, quaternum, sheets of paper packed
together, properly, four together, fr. L. quaterni four each,
by fours, quattuor, four. See {Four} and cf. {Cahier}.]
A collection of twenty-four sheets of paper of the same size
and quality, unfolded or having a single fold; one twentieth
of a ream.
Quirister \Quir"is*ter\, n. [See {Quire}, {Chorister}.]
A chorister. See {Chorister}. [R.] --Thomson.
Quiritation \Quir`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. quiritatio, fr. quiritare
to raise a plaintive cry, v. freq. fr. queri to complain.]
A crying for help. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Quirite \Qui"rite\, n.
One of the Quirites.
Quirites \Qui*ri"tes\, n. pl. [L., fr. Cures, a Sabine town.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
Roman citizens.
Note: After the Sabines and Romans had united themselves into
one community, under Romulus, the name of Quirites was
taken in addition to that of Romani, the Romans calling
themselves in a civil capacity Quirites, while in a
political and military capacity they retained the name
of Romani. --Andrews.
Quirk \Quirk\, n. [Written also {querk}.] [Cf W. chwiori to turn
briskly, or E. queer.]
1. A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence,
an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as,
the quirks of a pettifogger. ``Some quirk or . . .
evasion.'' --Spenser.
We ground the justification of our nonconformity on
dark subtilties and intricate quirks. --Barrow.
2. A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice. [Obs.]
``Quirks of joy and grief.'' --Shak.
3. A smart retort; a quibble; a shallow conceit.
Some odd quirks and remnants of wit. --Shak.
4. An irregular air; as, light quirks of music. --Pope.
5. (Building) A piece of ground taken out of any regular
ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.;
-- sometimes written quink. --Gwilt.
6. (Arch.) A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to
its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex
rounded molding.
{Quirk molding}, a bead between two quirks.
Quirked \Quirked\, a.
Having, or formed with, a quirk or quirks.
Quirkish \Quirk"ish\, a.
Consisting of quirks; resembling a quirk. --Barrow.
Quirky \Quirk"y\, a.
Full of quirks; tricky; as, a quirky lawyer.
Quirl \Quirl\, n. & v.
See {Querl}.
Quirpele \Quir"pele\, n. [Tamil k[=i]rippillai.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Indian ferret.
Quirt \Quirt\, n.
A rawhide whip plaited with two thongs of buffalo hide. --T.
Roosevelt.
Quish \Quish\, n.
See {Cuish}.
Quit \Quit\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of small passerine birds native
of tropical America. See {Banana quit}, under {Banana}, and
{Guitguit}.
Quit \Quit\, a. [OE. quite, OF. quite, F. quitte. See {Quit},
v., {Quirt}.]
Released from obligation, charge, penalty, etc.; free; clear;
absolved; acquitted. --Chaucer.
The owner of the ox shall be quit. --Ex. xxi. 28.
Note: This word is sometimes used in the form quits,
colloquially; as, to be quits with one, that is, to
have made mutual satisfaction of demands with him; to
be even with him; hence, as an exclamation: Quits! we
are even, or on equal terms. ``To cry quits with the
commons in their complaints.'' --Fuller.
Quit \Quit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quit} or {Quitted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Quitting}.] [OE. quiten, OF. quiter, quitier,
cuitier, F. quitter, to acquit, quit, LL. quietare, fr. L.
quietare to calm, to quiet, fr. quietus quiet. See {Quiet},
a., and cf. {Quit}, a., {Quite}, {Acquit}, {Requite}.]
1. To set at rest; to free, as from anything harmful or
oppressive; to relieve; to clear; to liberate. [R.]
To quit you of this fear, you have already looked
Death in the face; what have you found so terrible
in it? --Wake.
2. To release from obligation, accusation, penalty, or the
like; to absolve; to acquit.
There may no gold them quyte. --Chaucer.
God will relent, and quit thee all his debt.
--Milton.
3. To discharge, as an obligation or duty; to meet and
satisfy, as a claim or debt; to make payment for or of; to
requite; to repay.
The blissful martyr quyte you your meed. --Chaucer.
Enkindle all the sparks of nature To quit this
horrid act. --Shak.
Before that judge that quits each soul his hire.
--Fairfax.
4. To meet the claims upon, or expectations entertained of;
to conduct; to acquit; -- used reflexively.
Be strong, and quit yourselves like men. --I Sam.
iv. 9.
Samson hath guit himself Like Samson. --Milton.
5. To carry through; to go through to the end. [Obs.]
Never worthy prince a day did quit With greater
hazard and with more renown. --Daniel.
6. To have done with; to cease from; to stop; hence, to
depart from; to leave; to forsake; as, to quit work; to
quit the place; to quit jesting.
Such a superficial way of examining is to quit truth
for appearance. --Locke.
{To quit cost}, to pay; to reimburse.
{To quit scores}, to make even; to clear mutually from
demands.
Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements
in the noble fruits that issue from it? --South.
Syn: To leave; relinquish; resign; abandon; forsake;
surrender; discharge; requite.
Usage: {Quit}, {Leave}. Leave is a general term, signifying
merely an act of departure; quit implies a going
without intention of return, a final and absolute
abandonment.
Quit \Quit\, v. i.
To away; to depart; to stop doing a thing; to cease.
Quitch \Quitch\, n.
1. (Bot.) Same as {Quitch grass}.
2. Figuratively: A vice; a taint; an evil.
To pick the vicious quitch Of blood and custom
wholly out of him. --Tennyson.
Quitch grass \Quitch" grass`\ [Properly quick grass, being
probably so called from its vigorous growth, or from its
tenacity of life. See {Quick}, and cf. {Couch grass}.] (Bot.)
A perennial grass ({Agropyrum repens}) having long running
rootstalks, by which it spreads rapidly and pertinaciously,
and so becomes a troublesome weed. Also called {couch grass},
{quick grass}, {quick grass}, {twitch grass}. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Quitclaim \Quit"claim`\, n. [Quit, a. + claim.] (Law)
A release or relinquishment of a claim; a deed of release; an
instrument by which some right, title, interest, or claim,
which one person has, or is supposed to have, in or to an
estate held by himself or another, is released or
relinquished, the grantor generally covenanting only against
persons who claim under himself.
Quitclaim \Quit"claim`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quitclaimed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Quitclaiming}.] (Law)
To release or relinquish a claim to; to release a claim to by
deed, without covenants of warranty against adverse and
paramount titles.
Quite \Quite\, v. t. & i.
See {Quit}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quite \Quite\, adv. [F. quite discharged, free, clear; cf. OF.
quitement freely, frankly, entirely. See {Quit}, a.]
1. Completely; wholly; entirely; totally; perfectly; as, the
work is not quite done; the object is quite accomplished;
to be quite mistaken.
Man shall not quite be lost, but saved who will.
--Milton.
The same actions may be aimed at different ends, and
arise from quite contrary principles. --Spectator.
2. To a great extent or degree; very; very much;
considerably. ``Quite amusing.'' --Macaulay.
He really looks quite concerned. --Landor.
The island stretches along the land and is quite
close to it. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
Quitly \Quit"ly\, adv.
Quite. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quitrent \Quit"rent`\, n. [Quit, a. + rent] (Law)
A rent reserved in grants of land, by the payment of which
the tenant is quit from other service. --Blackstone.
Note: In some of the United States a fee-farm rent is so
termed. --Burrill.
Quits \Quits\, interj.
See the Note under {Quit}, a.
Quittable \Quit"ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being quitted.
Quittal \Quit"tal\, n.
Return; requital; quittance. [Obs.]
Quittance \Quit"tance\, n. [OE. quitaunce, OF. quitance, F.
quittance. See {Quit}, v. t.]
1. Discharge from a debt or an obligation; acquittance.
Omittance is no quittance. --Shak.
2. Recompense; return; repayment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Quittance \Quit"tance\, v. t.
To repay; to requite. [Obs.] --Shak.
Quitter \Quit"ter\, n.
1. One who quits.
2. A deliverer. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Quittor \Quit"tor\, n. [Perhaps for quitture.] (Far.)
A chronic abscess, or fistula of the coronet, in a horse's
foot, resulting from inflammation of the tissues investing
the coffin bone.
Quitture \Quit"ture\, n.
A discharge; an issue. [Obs.]
To cleanse the quitture from thy wound. --Chapman.
Quiver \Quiv"er\, a. [Akin to AS. cwiferlice anxiously; cf. OD.
kuiven, kuiveren. Cf. {Quaver}.]
Nimble; active. [Obs.] `` A little quiver fellow.'' --Shak.
Quiver \Quiv"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Quivered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Quivering}.] [Cf. {Quaver}.]
To shake or move with slight and tremulous motion; to
tremble; to quake; to shudder; to shiver.
The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind. --Shak.
And left the limbs still quivering on the ground.
--Addison.
Quiver \Quiv"er\, n.
The act or state of quivering; a tremor.
Quiver \Quiv"er\, n. [OF. cuivre, cuevre, coivre, LL. cucurum,
fr. OHG. chohh[=a]ri quiver, receptacle, G. k["o]cher quiver;
akin to AS. color, cocur, cocer, D. koker. Cf. {Cocker} a
high shoe.]
A case or sheath for arrows to be carried on the person.
Reside him hung his bow And quiver, with three-bolted
thunder stored. --Milton.
Quivered \Quiv"ered\, a.
1. Furnished with, or carrying, a quiver. ``Like a quivered
nymph with arrows keen.'' --Milton.
2. Sheathed, as in a quiver. ``Whose quills stand quivered at
his ear.'' --Pope.
Quiveringly \Quiv"er*ing*ly\, adv.
With quivering motion.
Qui vive \Qui` vive"\ [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of
vivre to live.]
The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like
the English challenge: ``Who comes there?''
{To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to be watchful and
alert, like a sentinel.
Quixotic \Quix*ot"ic\, a.
Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; absurdly
chivalric; apt to be deluded. ``Feats of quixotic
gallantry.'' --Prescott.
Quixotically \Quix*ot"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a quixotic way.
Quixotism \Quix"ot*ism\, n.
That form of delusion which leads to extravagant and absurd
undertakings or sacrifices in obedience to a morbidly
romantic ideal of duty or honor, as illustrated by the
exploits of Don Quixote in knight-errantry.
Quixotry \Quix"ot*ry\, n.
Quixotism; visionary schemes.
Quiz \Quiz\, n. [It is said that Daly, the manager of a Dublin
playhouse, laid a wager that a new word of no meaning should
be the common talk and puzzle of the city in twenty-fours. In
consequence of this the letters q u i z were chalked by him
on all the walls of Dublin, with an effect that won the
wager. Perhaps, however, originally a variant of whiz, and
formerly the name of a popular game.]
1. A riddle or obscure question; an enigma; a ridiculous
hoax.
2. One who quizzes others; as, he is a great quiz.
3. An odd or absurd fellow. --Smart. Thackeray.
4. An exercise, or a course of exercises, conducted as a
coaching or as an examination. [Cant, U.S.]
Quiz \Quiz\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quizzed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quizzing}.]
1. To puzzle; to banter; to chaff or mock with pretended
seriousness of discourse; to make sport of, as by obscure
questions.
He quizzed unmercifully all the men in the room.
--Thackeray.
2. To peer at; to eye suspiciously or mockingly.
3. To instruct in or by a quiz. See {Quiz}, n., 4. [U.S.]
{Quizzing glass}, a small eyeglass.
Quiz \Quiz\, v. i.
To conduct a quiz. See {Quiz}, n., 4. [U.S.]
Quizzer \Quiz"zer\, n.
One who quizzes; a quiz.
Quizzical \Quiz"zic*al\, a.
Relating to quizzing: given to quizzing; of the nature of a
quiz; farcical; sportive. -- {Quiz"zic*al*ly}, adv.
Quizzism \Quiz"zism\, n.
The act or habit of quizzing.
Quob \Quob\, v. i. [Cf. {Quaver}.] [Written also {quop} and
{quab}.]
To throb; to quiver. [Local & Vulgar]
Quod \Quod\, n. [For quad, abbrev. of quadrangle.]
A quadrangle or court, as of a prison; hence, a prison.
[Slang] ``Flogged or whipped in quod.'' --T. Hughes.
Quod \Quod\, v.
Quoth; said. See {Quoth}. [Obs.]
``Let be,'' quod he, ``it shall not be.'' --Chaucer.
Quoddies \Quod"dies\, n. pl.
Herring taken and cured or smoked near Quoddy Head, Maine, or
near the entrance of Passamaquoddy Ray.
Quodlibet \Quod"li*bet\, n. [L., what you please.]
1. A nice point; a subtilty; a debatable point.
These are your quodlibets, but no learning. --P.
Fletcher.
2. (Mus.) A medley improvised by several performers.
Quodlibetarian \Quod"lib*e*ta"ri*an\, n.
One who discusses any subject at pleasure.
Quodlibetical \Quod"li*bet"ic*al\, a.
Not restricted to a particular subject; discussed for
curiosity or entertainment. -- {Quod`li*bet"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Quoif \Quoif\, n. & v. t.
See {Coif}. --Shak.
Quoifffure \Quoiff"fure\, n.
See {Coiffure}.
Quoil \Quoil\, n.
See {Coil}. [Obs.]
Quoin \Quoin\, n. [See {Coin}, and cf. {Coigne}.]
1. (Arch.) Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a
building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of
material by which the corner is marked.
Note: In stone, the quoins consist of blocks larger than
those used in the rest of the building, and cut to
dimension. In brickwork, quoins consist of groups or
masses of brick laid together, and in a certain
imitation of quoins of stone.
2. A wedgelike piece of stone, wood metal, or other material,
used for various purposes, as:
(a) (Masonry) to support and steady a stone.
(b) (Gun.) To support the breech of a cannon.
(c) (Print.) To wedge or lock up a form within a chase.
(d) (Naut.) To prevent casks from rolling.
{Hollow quoin}. See under {Hollow}.
{Quoin post} (Canals), the post of a lock gate which abuts
against the wall.
Quoit \Quoit\, n. [OE. coite; cf. OF. coitier to spur, press,
(assumed) LL. coctare, fr. L. coquere, coctum, to cook, burn,
vex, harass, E. cook, also W. coete? a quoit.]
1.
(a) A flattened ring-shaped piece of iron, to be pitched
at a fixed object in play; hence, any heavy flat
missile used for the same purpose, as a stone, piece
of iron, etc.
(b) pl. A game played with quoits. --Shak.
2. The discus of the ancients. See {Discus}.
3. A cromlech. [Prov. Eng.] --J. Morley.
Quoit \Quoit\, v. i.
To throw quoits; to play at quoits.
To quoit, to run, and steeds and chariots drive.
--Dryden.
Quoit \Quoit\, v. t.
To throw; to pitch. [Obs. or R.] --Shak.
Quoke \Quoke\, obs.
imp. of {Quake}. --Chaucer.
Quoll \Quoll\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A marsupial of Australia ({Dasyurus macrurus}), about the
size of a cat.
Quondam \Quon"dam\, a. [L., formerly.]
Having been formerly; former; sometime. ``This is the quondam
king.'' --Shak.
Quondam \Quon"dam\, n.
A person dismissed or ejected from a position. [R.] ``Make
them quondams; . . . cast them out of their office.''
--Latimer.
Quook \Quook\,
imp. of {Quake}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Quop \Quop\, v. i.
See {Quob}.
Quorum \Quo"rum\, n. [L., of whom, gen. pl. of qui who, akin to
E. who. See the Note below.]
Such a number of the officers or members of any body as is
competent by law or constitution to transact business; as, a
quorum of the House of Representatives; a constitutional
quorum was not present.
Note: The term arose from the Latin words, Quorum aliquem
vestrum . . . unum esse volumus (of whom we wish some
one of you to be one), which were used in the
commission formerly issued to justices of the peace in
England, by which commission it was directed that no
business of certain kinds should be done without the
presence of one or more of certain justices specially
designated. Justice of the peace and of the quorum
designates a class of justices of the peace in some of
the United States.
Quota \Quo"ta\, n. [LL., fr. L. quota (sc. pars), fr. quotus
which or what in number, of what number, how many, fr. quot
how many, akin to quis, qui, who: cf. It. quota a share. See
{Who}.]
A proportional part or share; the share or proportion
assigned to each in a division. ``Quota of troops and
money.''
--Motley.
Quotable \Quot"a*ble\, a.
Capable or worthy of being quoted; as, a quotable writer; a
quotable sentence. -- {Quot`a*bit"i*ty}, n. --Poe.
Quotation \Quo*ta"tion\, n. [From {Quote}.]
1. The act of quoting or citing.
2. That which is quoted or cited; a part of a book or writing
named, repeated, or adduced as evidence or illustration.
--Locke.
3. (Com.) The naming or publishing of the current price of
stocks, bonds, or any commodity; also the price named.
4. Quota; share. [Obs.]
5. (print.) A piece of hollow type metal, lower than type,
and measuring two or more pica ems in length and breadth,
used in the blank spaces at the beginning and end of
chapters, etc.
{Quotation marks} (Print.), two inverted commas placed at the
beginning, and two apostrophes at the end, of a passage
quoted from an author in his own words.
Quotationist \Quo*ta"tion*ist\, n.
One who makes, or is given to making, quotations.
The narrow intellectuals of quotationists. --Milton.
Quote \Quote\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Quoted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Quoting}.] [OF. quoter, F. coter to letter, number, to
quote, LL. quotare to divide into chapters and verses, fr. L.
quotus. See {Quota}.] [Formerly written also {cote}.]
1. To cite, as a passage from some author; to name, repeat,
or adduce, as a passage from an author or speaker, by way
of authority or illustration; as, to quote a passage from
Homer.
2. To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a
statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.
3. (Com.) To name the current price of.
4. To notice; to observe; to examine. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. To set down, as in writing. [Obs.] ``He's quoted for a
most perfidious slave.'' --Shak.
Syn: To cite; name; adduce; repeat.
Usage: {Quote}, {Cite}. To cite was originally to call into
court as a witness, etc., and hence denotes bringing
forward any thing or person as evidence. Quote usually
signifies to reproduce another's words; it is also
used to indicate an appeal to some one as an
authority, without adducing his exact words.
Quote \Quote\, n.
A note upon an author. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Quoter \Quot"er\, n.
One who quotes the words of another.
Quoth \Quoth\, v. t. [AS. cwe[eth]an, imp cw[ae][eth], pl.
cw[=ae]don; akin to OS. que[eth]an, OHG. quethan, quedan,
Icel. kve[eth]a, Goth. qi[thorn]an. [root]22. Cf.
{Bequeath}.]
Said; spoke; uttered; -- used only in the first and third
persons in the past tenses, and always followed by its
nominative, the word or words said being the object; as,
quoth I. quoth he. ``Let me not live, quoth he.'' --Shak.
Quotha \Quoth"a\, interj. [For quoth'a, said he, 'a being
corrupted from he.]
Indeed; forsooth.
To affront the blessed hillside drabs and thieves With
mended morals, quotha, -- fine new lives ! --Mrs.
Browning.
Quotidian \Quo*tid"i*an\, a. [OE. cotidian, L. quotidianus, fr.
quotidie daily; quotus how many + dies day: cf. OF. cotidien,
F. quotidien. See {Quota}, {Deity}.]
Occurring or returning daily; as, a quotidian fever.
Quotidian \Quo*tid"i*an\, n.
Anything returning daily; especially (Med.), an intermittent
fever or ague which returns every day. --Milton.
Quotient \Quo"tient\, n. [F., fr. L. quoties how often, how many
times, fr. quot how many. See {Quota}.]
1. (Arith.) The number resulting from the division of one
number by another, and showing how often a less number is
contained in a greater; thus, the quotient of twelve
divided by four is three.
2. (Higher Alg.) The result of any process inverse to
multiplication. See the Note under {Multiplication}.
Quotiety \Quo*ti"e*ty\, n. [L. quotus of what number, quot how
many.] (Scholastic Philos.)
The relation of an object to number. --Krauth-Fleming.
Quotum \Quo"tum\, n. [NL., fr. L. quotus of what number. See
{Quota}.]
Part or proportion; quota. [R.] ``A very small quotum.''
--Max M["u]ller.
Quo warranto \Quo" war*ran"to\ [So called from the Law L. words
quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form
of the writ. See {Which}, and {Warrant}.] (Law)
A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what
warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain
powers. --Blackstone.
Note: An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now
common as a substitute for the writ. --Wharton.
Quran \Qu*ran"\, n.
See {Koran}.