quartern

UK: /ˈkwɔːtən/ US: (kwôr′tərn)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

quar•tern  (kwôr′tərn), n. [Chiefly Brit.]

1. Weights and Measures a quarter, or a fourth part, esp. of certain weights and measures, as of a pound, ounce, peck, or pint.

• Old French quarteron, derivative of quart fourth. See quart¹
• Middle English quartroun, quartron, quartern 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quartern / ˈkwɔːtən/ noun

1. a fourth part of certain weights or measures, such as a peck or a pound
2. Also called: quartern loaf a type of loaf 4 inches square, used esp for making sandwiches
3. any loaf weighing 1600 g when baked

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French quarteron, from quart a quarter