quarters, camps, and the issue of arms, ammunition, rations, stores,
&c., for his own regiment.

QUARTER-MASTER GENERAL. Is the head of that department of the army which
has charge of the quartering, encamping, embarking, and moving of
troops, and of the supply of stores connected therewith.

QUARTER-NETTINGS. The places allotted on the quarters for the stowage of
hammocks, which, in action, serve to arrest musket-balls.

QUARTER-PIECES. Projections at the after-part of the quarter, forming
the boundaries of the galleries.

QUARTER-POINT. A subdivision of the compass-card, equal to 2 deg. 48' 45"
of the circle.

QUARTER-PORTS. Those made in the after side-timbers, and especially in
round-stern vessels. They are inconvenient for warping, and generally
fitted with rollers.

QUARTER-RAILS. Narrow moulded planks, reaching from the stern to the
gangway, and serving as a fence to the quarter-deck, where there are no
ports or bulwarks.

QUARTERS. The several stations where the officers and crew of a ship of
war are posted in time of action. (_See_ BATTLE, ENGAGEMENT, &c.) But
this term differs in the army, for the soldier's quarters are his place
of rest. (_See_ HEAD-QUARTERS, WINTER-QUARTERS, &c.)

QUARTER-SIGHTS. The engraved index on the base-rings of cannon in
quarter degrees from point-blank to two or three degrees of elevation.

QUARTER-SLINGS. Are supports attached to a yard or other spar at one or
both sides of (but not in) its centre.

QUARTERS OF THE YARDS. The space comprehended between the slings, or
middle and half-way out on the yard-arms.

QUARTER-STANCHIONS. Strong iron stanchions in a square-sterned vessel,
connecting the main-rail with the taffrail; used for ridge-ropes to
extend the awnings.

QUARTER-TACKLE. A strong tackle fixed occasionally upon the quarter of
the main-yard, to hoist heavy bodies in or out of the ship.

QUARTER-TIMBERS. The framing timbers in a vessel's quarter.

QUARTER-WATCH. A division of one-fourth of the crew into watches, which
in light winds and well-conducted ships is enough; but the officers are
in three, and they must not be found nodding.

QUARTER-WIND. Blowing upon a vessel's quarter, abaft the main-shrouds.

QUASHEE. The familiar designation of a West India negro.

QUATUOR MARIA, OR BRITISH SEAS, are those four which surround Great
Britain.

QUAY. _See_ KEY.

QUEBRADA. From the Spanish for ravine, or broken ground.

QUEBRANTA HUESOS [Sp.] Literally, _b