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quarter n. Two bits. This in turn comes from the `pieces of eight' famed in pirate movies

quarter n.

Two bits. This in turn comes from the `pieces
of eight' famed in pirate movies -- Spanish silver crowns 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. Syn. tayste, crumb, quad.
rare. General discussion of such terms is under nybble.

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