grand quarter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical, Formal, Historical
Quick answer
What does “grand quarter” mean?
A quarter of an hour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quarter of an hour; fifteen minutes.
A time period of fifteen minutes, particularly used in contexts like public transport timetables, television/radio scheduling, or as a unit of time measurement. Historically, also refers to a formal division of an hour on a clock face.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is largely archaic in both varieties but has a slightly stronger historical foothold in British English, particularly in contexts like railway timetables or ceremonial time-telling (e.g., from a church clock). In contemporary American English, it is virtually nonexistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes formality, precision, and often a historical or institutional context. It might be used to sound deliberately old-fashioned or technical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. If encountered, it is more likely in a British historical document, a formal schedule, or a specialized technical manual than in American sources.
Grammar
How to Use “grand quarter” in a Sentence
at [TIME] + PAST/TO + THE HOURevery + grand quartera + grand quarter + (of delay/intermission)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand quarter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The station clock will grand-quarter at half-past.
adjective
British English
- The grand-quarter chime is a feature of the town hall clock.
American English
- The schedule operates on a grand-quarter interval system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. A CEO might say 'We'll reconvene in fifteen minutes,' not 'in a grand quarter.'
Academic
Possible in historical texts about timekeeping, horology, or transport history.
Everyday
Extremely rare and would sound archaic or affected.
Technical
Primary modern context; can appear in formal timetables (e.g., ferries, heritage railways), broadcast schedules, or the description of clock chime sequences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand quarter”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand quarter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand quarter”
- Using it in casual speech: 'I'll be there in a grand quarter.' (sounds unnatural)
- Spelling: 'grand quarter' (two words, not 'grandquarter').
- Confusing with 'quarter' in financial contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare and largely archaic term. It is mostly found in historical, technical, or very formal scheduling contexts.
There is no practical difference in meaning (both mean 15 minutes). 'Grand quarter' is simply a more formal, precise, and less common variant.
It is not recommended, as it will sound unnatural, old-fashioned, or pretentious. Use 'fifteen minutes' or 'a quarter of an hour' instead.
Historically, it adds a sense of formality or importance to the measurement. In the fixed phrase, it does not retain its standalone meaning of 'large'; it simply intensifies the precision of the quarter-hour.
A quarter of an hour.
Grand quarter is usually technical, formal, historical in register.
Grand quarter: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈkwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈkwɔːrṭər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the grand quarter”
- “To wait a grand quarter”
- “Strike the grand quarter”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GRAND, ornate grandfather clock that announces not just the hour, but every quarter-hour with a special, impressive chime — a GRAND QUARTER.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A MEASURABLE OBJECT (that can be divided into grand/important sections).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'grand quarter' MOST likely to be found today?