Q

qua, conj. Being, looked on as. (kwei).

quack, n. One acting as medical man
without having had regular training, sp.,
one tricking the public. (kwak).

quack, v.i., n. (Make) cry of DUCK.

qua'drangle, n. 4-sided, gen. right-angled,
form; open space in form of quadrangle
in middle of college buildings etc. (freq.
quad). qua'drangular, a. In form of a
quadrangle. (kwɔ'draŋgl).

'quadrant, n. 1/4 of circle or of its edge;
instrument for measuring angles.
('kwɔdrənt).

qua'dratic, a. Only quadrant equation, [Math.]
one in which the second, but no higher,
POWER of the sign whose value is to be
worked out is used. (kwɔ'dratik).

qua'drennial, a. Taking place once in 4
years. (kwɔ'drenjəl).

quadri'lateral, a., n. 4-sided (form or
space). (kwɔdri'latrəl).

qua'drille, n. (Music for) square dance for
8 persons. (kwə'dril).

quadrillion, n. [Brit.] 10²⁴; [Am.] 10¹⁵.
(kwɔ'driljən).

qua'droon, n. One who is a quarter
NEGRO. (kwɔ'dru:n).

'quadruped, n. Any 4-legged animal.
('kwɔdruped).

'quadruple, 1. a. Having 4 parts; (of
agreement etc.) in which 4 persons etc.
take part; 4 times greater than. 2.v.t.&i.
Make, become, 4 times greater. 'quad(ruplet).
n. One of 4 babies at a birth.
quadruplicate, 1. a. Of which there
are 4 copies, examples. 2. v.t. Make 4
copies, examples, of. 3. n. Only in quadruple,
quadruplicated. ('kwɔdrupl).

quaff, [Let.] v.t.&i. Take a long, deep
drink of, from. (kwɔf).

'quagmire, n. BOG. ('kwagmaiə).

quail, v.i. Give signs of, be feeling, fear
(at, before). (kweil).

quail, n. Small bird valued as food.

quaint, a. Pleasingly strange, uncommon,
old-time. (kweint).

quake, v.i. (Of earth) be shaking, moving;
(of person) be shaking with fear or cold.
(kweik).

'Quaker, n. One of a group of Christians
using no regular forms of religion, the
Society of Friends. ('kweikə).

'qualify, v.t.&i. Put limits on (statement),
make less strong or general;
make (feeling etc.) less strong; give an
account of (as of certain sort); [Lang.]
(of a.) be naming quality of (n. etc.);
get oneself trained, get through test,
for. qualin'cation, n. Sp., training
etc. qualifying person for something;
qualifying statement, fact.
('kwɔlifai).

'quality, n. (High) degree in which a
thing is good; any of the points about a
thing which make it what it is, sp., any
power of mind or body. The quality, [Old,
Com.] persons in high society. 'qualitative,
a. To do with, dependent on,
quality. ('kwɔliti).

qualm, n. Sudden ill feeling in stomach;
sudden doubt, fear, feeling that one has
done wrong. (kwɔ:m).

'quandary, n. Condition of doubt; position
in which, question about which,
decision is hard. ('kwɔndəri).

'quantity, n. That property of things
which may be measured, the having of
size, weight, amount, number; a certain
or great amount; how long or short a
VOWEL sound is; [Math.] number, sign
for some quantity. Unknown quantity, sp., person of
whose probable acts etc. one is uncertain.
'quantitative, a. Of quantity, (able to
be) measured. ('kwɔntiti).

'quantum (quanta), n. Desired, needed,
given, amount. Quantum theory, [Sc.] theory
that any one sort of ENERGY is transported
from one body to another in
certain fixed amounts. ('kwɔntəm).

'quarantine, n. Condition of being kept
away, shut off, from others, for fear of
giving them disease. ('kwɔrənti:n).

'quarrel, 1. v.i. Have violent argument,
angry words, put an end to good relations.
2. n. A quarrelling; cause for protest,
being angry. 'quarrelsome, a. Given to
quarrelling. ('kwɔrəl).

'quarry, 1. n. Place from which stone is
got from earth for building etc. 2. v.t.&i.
Get (stone) from quarry. ('kwɔri).

'quarry, n. Animal which is gone after, for
the purpose of putting it to death;
person, thing, gone after, looked for.

quart, n. Unit of measure, 2 pints. (kwɔ:t).

'quarter, 1. n. 1/4 part, one of 4 equal or
like parts; one leg of sheep etc. with part
of body round it, sp., as meat (gen. fore-quarter,
hind-quarter); 1/4 of a year, ending on quarter-day;
1/4 of time taken by moon's changes; unit
of grain measure, 8 bushels; unit of
weight, 28 pounds; U.S. or Canadian
(bit of silver money equal to) 25 cents;
direction, place, sp., part of town in
which special sort of persons are living
etc.; the letting off from death of those
overcome in fight. Quarters, sp., HAUNCHES
of horse; living-place, sp., for military;
a quarter to (past) 12 etc., 15 minutes before
(after) 12 etc.; at close quarters, very near, with
little space between. 2. v.t. Make division
of into quarters; get living-place for (sp.
military). 'quarter-day, n. Fixed day on
which payment has to be made for debts
of 1/4 year before. 'quarterdeck, n. Part of
higher DECK at back of ship for use of
men in authority. 'quarterings, n. pl. Different
COATS OF ARMS put together on
SHIELD as record of families which have
been married into. 'quarterly, 1. a., adv. (Taking
place) every 1/4 year. 2. n. Paper etc.
coming out every quarter. 'quartermaster, n.
[Mil.] Authority responsible for quartering
of forces, distribution of clothing,
stores etc.; sailor guiding ship, responsible
for storing of goods, etc. 'quartern ('loaf),
n. Cake of bread 4 pounds in weight.
'quarterstaff, [Hist.] n. Long straight stick
used with 2 hands in fighting done for
sport. ('kwɔ:tə).

quar'tet(te), n. Group of 4; (bit of music
for) 4 players. (kwɔ:'tet).

'quarto, n. (Book of) size made by folding
paper of certain measure into 4 leaves.
('kwɔ:tou).

quartz, n. Sorts of hard stone, freq. with
gold in. (kwɔ:ts).

quash, v.t. Make (order etc.) of no effect
as not being in agreement with rules, sp.
by law decision. (kwɔʃ).

'quasi-, Seeming(ly), not truly, almost
(quasi-freedom). ('kweisai-).

'quassia, n. (Bitter liquid used medically
and produced from) skin, root, or wood
of a S. Am. tree. ('kwɔʃə).

quaternary, [Sc.] a., n. (To do with)
present stage of earth's history.
(kwə'tə:nəri).

'quatrain, n. Verse of 4 lines. ('kwɔtrein).

'quaver, 1. v.i.&t. (Of voice, sound) be
shaking; say in shaking voice. 2. n. A
quavering; [Mus.] note one-eighth as
long as SEMIBREVE. ('kweivə).

quay, n. Landing-stage. (ki:).

quean, [Old] n. Girl or woman who is over-forward
in behaviour. (kwi:n).

'queasy, a. (Of person) over-delicate in
taste, feelings; (of stomach etc.) feeling,
readily getting, out of order; (of food)
making stomach queasy. ('kwi:zi).

queen, n. Woman married to KING;
female ruler; woman greatly loved, or
looked up to as if a queen; playing-card
with picture of queen; sort of CHESSMAN;
egg-producing female bee. Queen Mother,
mother of ruling KING or QUEEN. (kwi:n).

queer, 1. a. Strange, not normal; such as
to make one have doubts about it being
straightforward, what it seems; not well,
feeling ill, sp. as if about to become unconscious.
In queer street, [Com.] in debt or
trouble. 2. v.t. Put out of order, make go
wrong. Queer the pitch for (person), do
damage to his chances of doing, getting,
something. (kwiə).

quell, v.t. Put down, overcome, (sp.
attempt at overturning authority).
(kwel).

quench, v.t. [Let.] Put out (fire etc.); put
an end to (desire, sp. for water, feeling
etc.). 'quenchless, a. Unable to be quenched.
(kwenʃ).

'querulous, a. Bad-humoured, full of protests,
never pleased. ('kweruləs).

'query, 1. n. Question to be answered; the
mark "?", sp. put against statement etc.
as sign of doubt. 2. v.t. Put a question
(if); be questioning, doubting, (statement
etc.). ('kwiəri).

quest, 1. n. Attempt to get, a looking for,
something; what is being looked for. In
quest of, looking for. 2. v.t.&i. (Sp., of
dogs going after animals) be looking for.
(kwest).

'question, 1. n. Words requesting knowledge
of some sort in form which is not
an order; (putting forward of) doubt
about thing's being true, wise, right;
something about which questions are put,
about which there is discussion, need
for decision. Call in question, put forward
doubts about; in question, being talked about,
given attention; it is only a question of time,
it will certainly come, but when is uncertain;
out of the question, not possible; 2. v.t.
Put questions to; have doubts about. 'questionable,
a. Which may be doubted, not certainly
right, wise etc. 'question-mark, n. Sign "?"
put after question. question'naire (kwestʃə'neə),
n. List of questions about something
to be answered by number of persons.
('kwestʃən).

queue, 1. n. Line of persons, automobiles
etc. waiting for their turn; PLAIT of hair
hanging down back. 2. v.i. Get into, be
in, queue (freq. queue up). (kju:).

'quibble, v.i., n. (Make) use of word of
uncertain sense etc. to get out of giving
straightforward answer. ('kwibl).

quick, 1. a. (With power of) moving or
doing, being done, at a great rate, in a
very short time; [Old] living; ready in
mind, bright. 2. n. Part of body under
nails or skin readily feeling pain. Cut
(person) to the quick, make his feelings
deeply wounded. 3. adv. At a great rate.
'quicken, v.t.&i. Make (motion etc.),
become, quicker; make, become, living;
make (interest etc.) stronger. 'quicklime, n.
See LIME. 'quickly, adv. Quick. 'quicksand, n.
(Bed of) loose wet sand pulling down
into it anything which goes on it. 'quickset,
a. (Of HEDGE) formed of living plants.
'quicksilver, n. MERCURY. (kwik).

quid, n. Bit of tobacco for biting, rolling
in mouth. (kwid).

quid, [Com.] n. £1.

'quid pro 'quo, Thing given in exchange
for something given. ('kwid prou 'kwou).

qui'escent, a. Not moving or acting, at
rest. (kwai'esnt).

'quiet, 1. a. Without or with little sound,
motion; free from trouble, at rest; not
rough or violent; (of colour) not bright.
2. n. Condition of being quiet in first 3
senses. 3. v.t.&i. Make quiet. Quiet down,
become quiet. 'quietism, n. The giving up of
all desire, being ready to take what
comes, as form
of religion.
'quietude, n. Quiet.
qui'etus
(kwai'i:təs), n.
Death, being
put an end to.
('kwaiət).

quill, n. (Stem of)
wing or tail
feather; pen made of quill; sharp, needle-like
point on PORCUPINE. (kwil).

quilt, 1. v.t. Make (clothing, cover etc.) by
putting lines of stitching across 2 bits of
material with feathers etc. between; do
such stitching on. 2. n. Bed-cover, sp. of
quilted material. (kwilt).

quince, n. (Tree having) acid fruit of
PEAR-like form. (kwins).

qui'nine, n. Bitter liquid got from skin
of Peruvian tree and used medically.
(kwi'ni:n).

quinqu(e)-, 5. quin'quennial (kwiŋ'kwenjəl),
a. Taking place every 5 years.
('kwinkw(i)-).

'quinsy, n. Disease marked by INFLAMMATION
of throat. ('kwinzl).

'quintal, n. Unit of weight, 100 or 112
pounds. ('kwinti).

quin'tessence, n. Best, most complete
form or example (of quality etc.); strong
ESSENCE. (kwin'tesns).

qnin'tet(te), n. Group of 5; (bit of music
for) 5 players. (kwin'tet).

quin('tuplet), n. One of 5 babies at a
birth. (kwin('tju:plət)).

quip, n. Pointed saying, bit of humour.
(kwip).

'quire, n. 24 leaves of writing-paper.
('kwaiə).

quirk, n. QUIP; strange little way of
behaviour; ornamenting twist, curve, in
handwriting. (kwə:k).

quit, 1. v.t.&i. Go away from; give up;
give up (doing). Quit oneself well etc.,
ACQUIT oneself. 2. a. Only quit of, free from,
no longer responsible for. quits, a. Equal
with another, through making payment
of debt, giving punishment, etc. (kwit).

quite, adv. Completely, in every detail, to
the fullest degree; in some degree, somewhat.
Quite so, that is true, I am in agreement
with you. (kwait).

'quiver, 1. v.i. Be shaking quickly but not
violently. 2. n. Quivering motion or
sound. ('kwivə).

'quiver, n. Archer's bag for ARROWS.

'qui 'vive, [F.] Only on the qui vive, ready, watching.
('ki: 'vi:v).

quix'otic, a. High-minded, kind, true, to
a foolish degree. (kwik'sɔtik).

quiz, v.t. Make sport of, be laughing at; be
looking at with attention, interest.
'quizzical, a. Quizzing with kind humour;
strange, causing amusement. (kwiz).

quod, [Com.] n. Prison. (kwɔd).

quoit, n. Iron etc. ring for sending at
mark etc. in sport. quoits, sp., sport
played with quoits. (kɔit).

'quondam, a. Which or who was at one
time. ('kwɔndəm).

'quorum, n. Number of persons which has
to be present for meeting of committee
etc. to take place. ('kwɔ:rəm).

'quota, n. That part of full amount which
is to be given to or taken by any one
of group making agreement, sp. the
amount of goods which may be sent to
one country by anotlier. ('kwoutə).

quote, v.t.&i. Say, put in writing, (words,
writing, of another); quote words from (person,
book); give (fact etc.) as supporting
statement; be naming (as) price of (gen.
quote at). quo'tation, n. Sp., words or price
quoted. Quote marks, the marks used in
writing or print before and after words
quoted (' ' or " "). (kwout).

quoth, [Old] v.t. Said. (kwouθ).

quo'tidian 1. a. (Of diseases) taking
place, coming back, every day. 2. n. Quotidian
FEVER. (kwɔ'tidjən).

'quotient, [Math.] n. Amount got by
division of one number by another.
('kwouʃənt).