Quarter
/kwȯ(r)-tər/
n. Two bits. This in turn comes from the 'pieces of eight' famed in pirate movies -- Spanish gold pieces that could be broken into eight pie-slice-shaped 'bits' to make change. Early in American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a dollar, so each of these 'bits' was considered worth 12.5 cents.
Usage: rare.
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