quartering

[ kwawr-ter-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that quarters.
2. the assignment of quarters or lodgings.
3. Heraldry.
   1. the division of an escutcheon into quarters.
   2. the marshaling of various coats of arms on an escutcheon.
   3. any of the coats of arms so marshaled.

adjective

1. that quarters.
2. lying at right angles.
3. Nautical. (of a wind) blowing on a ship's quarter.

quartering

/ ˈkwɔːtərɪŋ /

noun

1. military the allocation of accommodation to service personnel
2. heraldry
   1. the marshalling of several coats of arms on one shield, usually representing intermarriages
   2. any coat of arms marshalled in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartering¹

First recorded in 1585–95; quarter + -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Interestingly, in the case of quartering waves, there was a negligible effect of propulsion power on the deviations.

From Science Daily

For 11 years, Tillman was mired in the “spiritual quartering,” to borrow a phrase from the philosopher Simone Weil, of this soul-sucking work.

From Los Angeles Times

A team of volunteer cooks is preparing lunch for 200 senior citizens, cutting cornbread, tossing spinach salad, quartering oranges.

From Seattle Times

No one is concerned today about the quartering of troops or the establishment of well-regulated militias.

From Los Angeles Times

They said Russian occupying troops hold local residents hostage, both restricting the movement of civilians and quartering soldiers in homes and apartments.

From Washington Times

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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