quartern
C2Archaic, Historical, Technical (baking/brewing history)
Definition
Meaning
A quarter of a pint, or a quarter of a peck (an old dry measure); historically also a loaf of bread weighing about four pounds, a quarter of the old stone (14 lb) unit.
An archaic unit of volume for liquids (especially spirits) or dry goods, now largely obsolete. Also refers to a specific size of a traditional loaf of bread.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A term from the imperial measurement system, primarily used in 19th and early 20th-century Britain. Its use today is almost exclusively historical, found in period literature, historical documents, or discussions of old recipes and measures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was historically used in the UK. It was never standard in the US, where the imperial system was not adopted. In the US, 'quarter' would be used for generic division, not as this specific unit.
Connotations
Connotes a bygone era, traditional British pubs, apothecaries, or bakers. Evokes a sense of historical specificity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern British English, confined to historical contexts. Virtually non-existent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a [NUMBER] quartern of [LIQUID/GOODS] (e.g., a quartern of flour)bake a quartern loafVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is a specific measurement term.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business. Historical usage in brewing, baking, and grocery trades.
Academic
Used in historical studies, economic history, or literature studies discussing period details.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary everyday language.
Technical
Might be referenced in historical recreations of baking, brewing, or metrology.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is not typically taught at A2 level.
- In the old story, the character asked for a quartern of bread.
- The recipe from 1850 called for a quartern of flour, which is about a quarter of a peck.
- The historical accounts noted that a labourer's wage might include a daily allowance of a quartern loaf and a pint of beer.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'quarter' of something, like a quarter of a pint. 'Quartern' sounds like 'quarter' with an 'n,' helping you remember it's a specific quarter measurement.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS A FRACTION (A standard whole is divided into a known, traditional part).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как общий термин "четверть". Это конкретная историческая мера объёма или веса, не имеющая прямого современного эквивалента.
- Не путать с "квартой" (quart), которая является другой, большей мерой (две пинты).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in a modern context (e.g., 'I'd like a quartern of milk').
- Confusing it with 'quart' or 'quarter' as a general concept.
- Assuming it is still a current unit of measurement.
Practice
Quiz
What was a 'quartern loaf'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete unit from the British imperial system and is not used in official or legal metrology today.
Only in very specific historical or literary contexts. Using it in everyday conversation would sound archaic and confusing to most listeners.
'Quarter' is a general term for one-fourth of anything. 'Quartern' was a specific, standardized unit of volume (for liquids or dry goods) or a specific weight for bread.
It is useful for reading historical British literature, documents, or recipes where precise period terminology is important for understanding.