quartering

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​ing ˈkwȯ(r)-tə-riŋ How to pronounce quartering (audio)
1
a
: the division of an escutcheon containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments
b
: a quarter of an escutcheon or the coat of arms on it
2
: a line of usually noble or distinguished ancestry

quartering

2 of 2

adjective

1
: coming from a point well abaft the beam of a ship but not directly astern
quartering waves
2
: lying at right angles

Examples of quartering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With a bow or crossbow, wait for a good quartering away shot, and drive the arrow up into the vitals. The Editors, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023 In our world of Chronic Wasting Disease, field-quartering is a skill every deer hunter needs to learn anyway. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 28 Sep. 2020 Killing a big bull at a steep quartering angle takes a very good cartridge, topped with a tough, deep-penetrating bullet. Field & Stream, 10 May 2019 Hunsucker always places the decoy facing and quartering to him. Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 10 Dec. 2019 The drawing and quartering Will witnesses during a public execution in an early scene is only the first sign that the stakes here may be higher than even this playwright’s career. 9 p.m. Ellen Gray, Philly.com, 7 July 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quartering was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near quartering

Cite this Entry

“Quartering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartering. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

quartering

adjective
quar·​ter·​ing
ˈkwȯ(r)t-ə-riŋ
: coming from a direction behind and to the side (as of a ship)
a quartering wind

More from Merriam-Webster on quartering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!