quire

1 of 2

noun

ˈkwī(-ə)r How to pronounce quire (audio)
: a collection of 24 or sometimes 25 sheets of paper of the same size and quality : one twentieth of a ream

quire

2 of 2

archaic spelling of choir

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English quair four sheets of paper folded once, collection of sheets, from Anglo-French quaier, from Vulgar Latin *quaternum set of four, from Latin quaterni four each, set of four — more at quaternion

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quire was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near quire

quira

quire

quirewise

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Cite this Entry

“Quire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quire. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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