n. 1. Abbr. qt. or q. a. A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 1/4 gallon or 32 ounces (0.946 liter). b. A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in dry measure, equal to 1/8 peck or 2 pints (1.101 liters). c. A unit of volume or capacity in the British Imperial System, used in liquid and dry measure, equal to 1.201 US liquid quarts or 1.032 US dry quarts (1.136 liters). See Table at measurement. 2. a. A container having a capacity of one quart. b. The contents of such a container. [Middle English, from Old French quarte, from Latin quārta, feminine of quārtus, fourth; see kwetwer- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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