quarto

noun

quar·​to ˈkwȯr-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce quarto (audio)
plural quartos
Synonyms of quartonext
1
: the size of a piece of paper cut four from a sheet
also : paper or a page of this size
2
: a book printed on quarto pages

Examples of quarto 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.
The poem was published in Shakespeare’s 1609 quarto of 154 sonnets, which wasn’t widely popular in its day. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025 Packaged as popular entertainment, quartos weren’t meant to last. — Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin, ablative of quartus fourth

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quarto was in 1580

Browse Nearby Words

quarting
quarto
quartodeciman
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Cite this Entry

“Quarto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarto. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

quarto

noun
quar·​to ˈkwȯrt-ō How to pronounce quarto (audio)
plural quartos
: a book made up of sheets of paper that have been folded into four leaves

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