Part 393

The common sort is that whose radii project the quadrant about 12 inches, and whose plummet suspends in its centre, by means of a fine piece of silk; so that, when the long end is introduced into the piece, the plummet shows its elevation.

The best sort has a spiral level fixed to a brass radius; so that, when the long end is introduced into the piece, this radius is turned about its centre till it is level: then its end shews the angle of elevation, or the inclination from the horizon; whereas the first shows that angle from the vertical. See LEVEL.

QUADRAT, or to quadrat a gun, is to see it duly placed on its carriage, and that the wheels be of an equal height.

QUADRATE, a square, having four equal and parallel sides.

QUADRATICK Equations, are such as retain, on the unknown side, the square of the root, or the number sought.

QUADRATRICE, Fr. See QUADRANT.

QUADRATURE, Fr. Quadrature.

QUADRILATERAL, (Quadrilatére, Fr.) having four sides.

QUADRILLE, Fr. This word is pronounced Cadrille. Small parties of horse, richly caparisoned, &c. which used formerly to ride, &c. in tournaments and at public festivals. The Quadrilles were distinguished from one another by the shape or color of the coats which the riders wore. This word is derived from the Italian Quadriglia, or Squadriglia, being a diminutive of Squadra, a company of soldiers drawn up in a square.

QUADRIVIAL, having four roads or ways, meeting in a point.

QUAI, Fr. See QUAY.

QUAICHE, or CAICHE, Fr. A decked vessel, a ketch.

QUAKER-GUNS. See PASSE VOLANS.

QUALIFICATION. That which makes any person or thing fit for any thing.

To QUALIFY. To fit for any thing. To give in the necessary qualifications for the exercising of a civil or military employment. In a general acceptation of the term, to qualify does not mean to give proofs of mental ability.

QUANTIEME, Fr. a term used among the French to signify, not only the day of the month, as quel quantiéme du mois avons nous? what is the day of the month? but likewise the numerical order in which an individual stands upon a muster-roll, &c. viz. Le quantiéme êtes vous dans votre campagnie? How do you rank in your company? or of what standing are you?

QUANTITY, the amount; bulk; weight; that property of any thing which may be increased or diminished.

QUARANTINE, (Quarantaine, Fr.) The time which persons, suspected of having any contagious disorder, are obliged to remain without mixing with the inhabitants of the seaport or town at which they arrive. It takes its name from quarantaine, the term of 40 days.

QUARRE, Fr. See SQUARE.

Bataillon QUARRE d’hommes, Fr. A square battalion.

QUARREAUX, Fr. Darts or arrows which the bowmen anciently used, and which were so called from the iron at the end being square, with a sharp point.

QUARRELS, in a military sense, are disagreements between individuals of that serious nature, as to produce challenges, duels, &c. by the Articles of War, it is specified, that all officers, of what condition soever, have power to quell all quarrels, frays, and disorders, though the persons concerned should belong to another regiment, troop, or company, and either to order officers into arrest, or non-commissioned officers or soldiers to prison, until their proper superior officers shall be made acquainted therewith; and whosoever shall refuse to obey such officer (though of an inferior rank) or shall draw his sword upon him, shall be punished at the discretion of a general court martial.

QUARREL, QUARRY, an arrow with a square head.

QUART, Fr. Quarter.

QUART de Cercle, Fr. A quadrant such as bombardiers use when they take the angles, and give what inclination they think necessary to a mortar.

QUART de Conversion, Fr. Quarter-wheeling, or quarter-facing. The terms are used in military evolutions.

DEMI-QUART de Conversion, Fr. Half-quarter-wheel.

QUARTE, Fr. In fencing. See CARTE.