n. 1. A proportional share, as of goods, assigned to a group or to each member of a group; an allotment. 2. A production assignment. 3. a. A number or percentage, especially of people, constituting or designated as an upper limit: a country with strict annual immigration quotas. b. A number or percentage, especially of people, constituting a required or targeted minimum: a system of quotas for hiring minority applicants. [Medieval Latin, from Latin quota (pars), how large (a part), feminine of quotus, of what number; see QUOTE.] |
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