quartan

1 of 2

adjective

quar·​tan ˈkwȯr-tᵊn How to pronounce quartan (audio)
: occurring every fourth day reckoning inclusively
specifically : recurring at approximately 72-hour intervals
a quartan ague

quartan

2 of 2

noun

: a quartan fever

Examples of quartan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Here's what's been keeping our thumbs active in these quartan-times when the work keyboards have retired for the day. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English quarteyn, from Anglo-French (fevre) quartaine quartan fever, from Latin (febris) quartana, from quartanus of the fourth, from quartus

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quartan was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near quartan

Cite this Entry

“Quartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartan. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

quartan

1 of 2 adjective
quar·​tan ˈkwȯrt-ᵊn How to pronounce quartan (audio)
: occurring every fourth day reckoning inclusively
specifically : recurring at approximately 72-hour intervals
quartan chills and fever
compare tertian

quartan

2 of 2 noun
: an intermittent fever that recurs at approximately 72-hour intervals
especially : malariae malaria
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!