Quartering

Quartering is a term with several related meanings. It most commonly refers to the act of dividing something into four equal parts, such as quartering meat or a circle into four quarters. A second sense involves the provision of lodging and shelter for soldiers, including the assignment of space in homes or buildings for military use.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from the noun quarter, meaning a fourth part or a district, with the agent noun suffix -ing. It originates from Old French quartier, from Latin quartarius. The term thus covers both a mathematical or culinary division and a social or legal practice.

Historical and legal context: In European and colonial history, quartering Acts or similar provisions required communities or property owners to house and supply soldiers. In the United States, the Third Amendment to the Constitution prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent in peacetime, reflecting concerns about privacy and property, while wartime accommodations are governed by separate laws and regulations. In modern armed forces, lodging for personnel is typically provided on base or through official arrangements rather than in private residences.

Other uses: In cooking, to quarter a piece of meat or fruit means to cut it into four pieces. In heraldry and design, quartering refers to dividing a shield or surface into quarters to display multiple arms or symbols. In geography and urban planning, quarters can denote distinct districts or neighborhoods, reflecting the term’s broader sense of division into named parts.

Overall, quartering encompasses both practical processes of separation into four parts and historical or legal practices related to lodging and shelter.