quarter
noun
ˈkwɔːtə(r) 
ˈkwɔːrtər 1 of 4 parts
1 (also fourth especially in North American English) [countable] one of four equal parts of somethinga quarter of a mileThe programme lasted an hour and a quarter.Cut the apple into quarters.The theatre was about three quarters full.15 minutes
2 [countable] a period of 15 minutes either before or after every hourIt's (a) quarter to four now—I'll meet you at (a) quarter past. (North American English also) It's quarter of four now—I'll meet you at quarter after.3 months
3 [countable] a period of three months, used especially as a period for which bills are paid or a company's income is calculatedThe rent is due at the end of each quarter.Our gas bill for the last quarter was much higher than usual.Sales were down 10% in the first quarter of 2009.part of town
4 [countable, usually singular] a district or part of a townthe Latin quarterthe historic quarter of the cityperson/group
5 [countable] a person or group of people, especially as a source of help, information or a reactionSupport for the plan came from an unexpected quarter.The news was greeted with dismay in some quarters.25 cents
6 [countable] a coin of the US and Canada worth 25 centsrooms to live in
7 quarters [plural] rooms that are provided for soldiers, servants, etc. to live inWe were moved to more comfortable living quarters.married quartersof moon
8 [countable] the period of time twice a month when we can see a quarter of the moonThe moon is in its first quarter.in sport
9 [countable] one of the four periods of time into which a game of American football is dividedweight
10 [countable] (British English) a unit for measuring weight, a quarter of a pound; 4 ounces11 [countable] a unit for measuring weight, 28 pounds in the UK or 25 pounds in the US; a quarter of a hundredweightpity
12 [uncountable] (old-fashioned or literary) pity that somebody shows towards an enemy or opponent who is in their powerSynonym
mercyHis rivals knew that they could expect no quarter from such a ruthless adversary.Idioms
see at/from close quarters at close2 adjective
Usage note: half / whole / quarterQuarter, half and whole can all be nouns: Cut the apple into quarters. ◇ Two halves make a whole.Whole is also an adjective: I’ve been waiting here for a whole hour.Half is also a determiner: Half (of) the work is already finished. ◇ They spent half the time looking for a parking space. ◇ Her house is half a mile down the road. Note that you do not put a or the in front of half when it is used in this way: I waited for half an hour ◇ I waited for a half an hour.Half can also be used as an adverb: This meal is only half cooked.