a. and sb. Also 7 -partit; 6 quadri-, 6–7 quadrapertite; 6–8 quadrupartite, (6 -pertite). [ad. L. quadripartīt-us, f. quadri- QUADRI- + pa. pple. of partīrī to divide, PART.]
A. adj. 1. Divided into, or consisting of, four parts. Now chiefly in Bot., Zool. and Arch.
Quadripartite vault, one divided into four converging compartments; so quadriparte groining.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), II. 111. That kynge Nabugodonosor hade a dreame of a quadripartite ymage.
1570. Levins, Manip., 151/43. Quadripartite, quadripartitus.
1612. Selden, Illustr. Drayton’s Poly-olb., IV. 215. Wks. 1876, I. 115. Frederic III.’s institution of the quadripartite Society of S. George’s shield.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 464. The quadripartite discourse upon Phil. ii. 6, to 11.
1849. Freeman, Archit., 246. The aisles of large churches are almost always covered with plain quadripartite vaulting.
1875. Bennett & Dyer, trans. Sachs’ Bot., 584. The tubular receptacle … is even quadripartite, corresponding to the four perianth-leaves and to the four stamens.
b. spec. Of a contract, indenture, etc.: Drawn up in four corresponding parts, one for each party.
1527. Lanc. & Chesh. Wills (Chetham Soc. 1854), 33. A declaracion of my will mynde and testament quadripertite therunto annexed.
1592. West, 1st Pt. Symbol., § 47. These deedes indented are not only bypartite … but also may be made … quadrupartite.
1650. Bury Wills (Camden), 224. As in the said indenture quadrapertite fully appeareth.
1874. Macray, in 4th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 461/1. Extract from the will of Hugh Falstolf … made in the form of a quadripartite indenture.
2. Divided among or shared by four persons or parties.
1594. Lyly, Moth. Bomb., III. ii. They commit the matter to our quadrapertite wit.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. lxxvii. 434. Your reconciliation is now effected; a friendship quadrupartite is commenced.
1835. Blackw. Mag., XXXVII. 44. They … formed a quadripartite alliance.
3. Quadripartite division († distinction), division into four parts, classes, etc.; spec. in Eccl. a fourfold division of tithes (see quot. 1855).
1614. Selden, Titles Hon., 383. The quadripartit distinction of Ciuilians which they haue.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, I. iv. 10. Making a quadripartite division of good wine.
1727. T. Jenkins, trans. Father Paul’s Eccl. Benef. (1736), 28. The Quadripartite division came to be arbitrary.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), II. III. vii. 116, note. The quadripartite division, to the bishop, the clergy, the fabric and services of the church, and the poor, generally prevailed in the West.
1882–3. Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., I. 724. The quadripartite division of theology, into exegetical, dogmatical, historical, and practical theology.
B. sb. The Tetrabiblos of Ptolemy.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., i. in Ashm. (1652), 21. In his Quadripartite made of Astrologie, Of Physique, and of this Arte of Alkimy, And also of Magique naturall.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 133. Ptolomaus maketh mention of them in his quadripartite.
1822. J. M. Ashmand (title), Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos, or Quadripartite: being Four Books of the Influence of the Stars.
Hence Quadripartitely adv., into four parts. Also † Quadripartite v., to divide into four.
1552. Huloet, Quadripartitlye.
1656. W. D., trans., Comenius’ Gate Lat. Unl., 177. The year [is divided] quadripartitely into Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
1709–29. V. Mandey, Syst. Math., Arith., 3. Division … Its kinds are, Halving or Bipartiting,… Quadripartiting, &c.
