Reading Theme:
Quarter Meaning: One Fourth, 15 Minutes, Coin & District (4 meaning)
Meaning 1：one fourth (quarter)
quarter
/ˈkwɔːrtər/
n.
One of four equal parts into which something can be divided.
one fourth
➕
/ˈwʌn fɔːrθ/
n.
A quarter refers to one of four equal parts of a whole, often used in measurements, portions, or fractions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'quartarius' (fourth part), derived from 'quattuor' (four).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a pizza cut into four slices; one slice is a quarter. Think 'four quarters make a whole.'
📖 Example
She only ate a quarter of the pizza because she wasn't very hungry.
She only ate a quarter of the pizza because she wasn't very hungry.
🔗 Collocations
a quarter of – one fourth of something
three quarters – three fourths of a whole
quarter pound – a unit of weight equal to four ounces
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
quarterly (adj./adv.) – Occurring or done every three months.
quartering (n.) – The act of dividing into four parts.
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Latin 'quartus' (fourth), 'quarter' entered English via Old French. As a coin, it refers to the U.S. quarter dollar, first minted in 1796, worth a quarter of a dollar.
Meaning 2：fifteen minutes (quarter)
quarter
/ˈkwɔːrtər/
n.
A period of fifteen minutes; a quarter of an hour.
fifteen minutes
➕
/ˈfɪftiːn ˈmɪnɪts/
n.
A quarter of an hour, equal to 15 minutes, commonly used to tell time (e.g., a quarter past, a quarter to).
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The meeting is scheduled for a quarter past three, so we still have some time.
The meeting is scheduled for a quarter past three, so we still have some time.
🔗 Collocations
a quarter past – 15 minutes after a specified hour
a quarter to – 15 minutes before a specified hour
quarter hour – a period of 15 minutes
🔄 Synonyms
fifteen minutes (n.) – A duration of 15 minutes; synonymous with a quarter of an hour.
quarter-hour (n.) – A unit of time equal to 15 minutes.
Meaning 3：25-cent coin (quarter)
quarter
/ˈkwɔːrtər/
n.
A coin used in the United States and Canada worth 25 cents, one fourth of a dollar.
25-cent coin
➕
/ˈtwɛnti faɪv sɛnt kɔɪn/
n.
A coin used in the United States and Canada with a value of 25 cents, equal to one fourth of a dollar.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I need one more quarter to use the laundry machine in the apartment building.
I need one more quarter to use the laundry machine in the apartment building.
🔗 Collocations
quarter dollar – a coin worth 25 cents
two quarters – 50 cents in coin form
quarter machine – a vending machine that accepts quarters
🔄 Synonyms
two bits (n.) – Informal term for a quarter coin, worth 25 cents.
25-cent piece (n.) – A coin with a face value of 25 cents.
🌱 Derivatives
quarterly (adj./adv.) – Relating to a quarter of a year, not directly related to the coin.
Meaning 4：district (quarter)
quarter
/ˈkwɔːrtər/
n.
A particular district or section of a city or town, often with a distinctive character.
district
➕
/ˈdɪstrɪkt/
n.
A distinct area or neighborhood within a city or town, often known for a specific character, culture, or function.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We stayed in the historic quarter of the city, full of old buildings and cozy cafes.
We stayed in the historic quarter of the city, full of old buildings and cozy cafes.
🔗 Collocations
historic quarter – an old part of a city with preserved architecture
Latin Quarter – a famous academic district in Paris, France
residential quarter – a neighborhood primarily consisting of homes
🔄 Synonyms
district (n.) – An area of a city or country with a specific administrative or cultural boundary.
neighborhood (n.) – A local community within a larger town or city.
sector (n.) – A distinct part of a city, often with a specific function.
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