Etymology Map
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Quarter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means one of four equal parts; a district

Where does the word "quarter" come from? It comes from Latin quartarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
quartarius
Latin · ancient
"a fourth part"
from 'quartus', fourth
2
Stage 2 of 3
quartier
Old French · medieval
"a fourth; district"
city districts were once literally quarters
3
Stage 3 of 3
quarter
English · 1300s
"a fourth part"
the US 25-cent 'quarter' dates from the 1790s
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Read the full story

Quarter’s story begins in Latin: quartarius meant “a fourth part.” From 'quartus', fourth. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as quartier. City districts were once literally quarters. It reached English by 1300s as quarter. The US 25-cent 'quarter' dates from the 1790s. Today, quarter means one of four equal parts; a district.