† 1. A quarter of a standard coin. Obs. rare–1.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, I. xii. 38. Some English coines, being quarter-peices, cannot be put away in payment without loss, except four of them be joyned together.
2. Naut. † a. A piece of ordnance placed on the quarter of a vessel. Obs. rare–1.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 31. The peeces in the prow,… in the sterne, the quarter peeces [etc.].
b. (See quots.)
1711. W. Sutherland, Ship-build. Assist., 162. Quarter-pieces; large carved Pieces fixed to terminate the Quarter with the Stern.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), G g. The quarter-pieces, which limit and form the outlines of the stern.
1797. Encycl. Brit., XVII. 408/2. The taffarel and quarter pieces, which terminate the ship abaft, the former above and the latter on each side.
1846. A. Young, Naut. Dict., 243. If there be a quarter-gallery, the quarter-piece forms its after end.
c. ‘Projections beyond the quarters of a ship for additional cabin accommodation’ (Cent. Dict.).
† 3. = QUARTER 19 and 20 c. Obs. rare–0.
1688. Miége, Grt. Fr. Dict., II. Quarter-piece, quartier. The two Quarter-pieces of a Shoe.
1736. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict., A double quarter piece, trabs crassior.
