Obs. exc. dial. Also 9 quot. [Related to prec. and next: cf. SQUAT a., and It. quatto ‘squatting, cowering, quiet, still’ (Baretti).]
1. Squatted, close, still, quiet, in hiding.
c. 1450. Merlin, xxv. 463. The x traitoris that were quatte in the gardin vnder an ympe. Ibid. Bretell and Vlfin … weren quat vnder the steyres.
1682. Bunyan, Holy War, 310. The rest lay so quat and close that they could not be apprehended. Ibid. (1685), Bk. Boys & Girls, 21. My lying quat, until the Fly is catcht Shews [etc.].
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., Quat, close, still, as a hare on her form.
1888. in Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk.
2. Low and broad; squat.
1863. Barnes, Dorset Gloss., ‘There’s a little quot rick.’
