Etymologically
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quartarius

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:04. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kʷaːrˈtaː.ri.ʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kʷarˈtaː.ri.us][1]

Forms

quārtārius m (genitive quārtāriī or quārtārī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is from quārtus “fourth” with the suffix -ārius.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of a measure.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

As a noun it meant a quarter of a sextārius, a measure for liquids and dry goods, as in Cato.[2][5] Lucilius, quoted by Festus, uses it of a muleteer of the lowest rank, paid a quarter share.[2][5] As an adjective it meant of a fourth part.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it of a fourth part, and the forms quarterius and quarterus follow Anglo-Norman quarter.[6] Through Old French quartier it gave English quarter about 1300.[3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it.[2][4]
  • c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it of a muleteer.[2][4]
  • c. 1300 – English quarter is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A quarter of a sextārius.[2]
  2. A muleteer on a quarter share.[5]

Adjective

  1. Of a fourth part.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press