COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

Qq

Q , q /kjuː / (Q's, q's ) N‑VAR Q is the seventeenth letter of the English alphabet.

Q & A /kjuː ən e I / also Q and A N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Q & A is a situation in which a person or group of people asks questions and another person or group of people answers them. Q & A is short for 'question and answer'. □ …a Q & A session with a prominent politician.

QC /kjuː siː / (QCs ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a QC is a senior barrister. QC is an abbreviation for 'Queen's Counsel'. □ He hired a top QC to defend him.

QR code /kjuːɑː ^r koʊ d/ (QR codes ) N‑COUNT A QR code is a pattern of black and white squares that can be read by a smart phone, allowing the phone user to get more information about something. QR code is an abbreviation for 'Quick Response code'. □ The advert includes a QR code.

quack /kwæ k/ (quacks , quacking , quacked )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you call someone a quack or a quack doctor , you mean that they claim to be skilled in medicine but are not. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I went everywhere for treatment, tried all sorts of quacks.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Quack remedies or quack cures are medical treatments that you think are unlikely to work because they are not scientific. [DISAPPROVAL ]

3 VERB When a duck quacks , it makes the noise that ducks typically make. □ [V ] There were ducks quacking on the lawn. ● N‑COUNT Quack is also a noun. □ Suddenly he heard a quack.

quack|ery /kwæ kəri/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to a form of medical treatment as quackery , you think that it is unlikely to work because it is not scientific. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ To some people, herbal medicine is quackery.

quad /kwɒ d/ (quads )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Quads are the same as quadruplets . □ …a 34-year-old mother of quads.

2 N‑COUNT A quad is the same as a quadrangle . [INFORMAL ] □ His rooms were on the left-hand side of the quad.

qua d bike (quad bikes ) N‑COUNT A quad bike is a kind of motorbike with four large wheels that people ride for fun or in races.

quad|ran|gle /kwɒ dræŋg ^ə l/ (quadrangles ) N‑COUNT A quadrangle is an open square area with buildings round it, especially in a college or school.

quad|rant /kwɒ drənt/ (quadrants ) N‑COUNT [adj N ] A quadrant is one of four equal parts into which a circle or other shape has been divided. □ [+ of ] A symbol appears in an upper quadrant of the screen.

quad|rille /kwɒdriː l/ (quadrilles ) N‑COUNT A quadrille is a type of old-fashioned dance for four or more couples.

quad|ri|plegic /kwɒ dr I pliː dʒ I k/ (quadriplegics ) N‑COUNT A quadriplegic is a person who is permanently unable to use their arms and legs. ● ADJ Quadriplegic is also an adjective. □ He is now quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair.

quad|ru|ped /kwɒ drʊped/ (quadrupeds ) N‑COUNT A quadruped is any animal with four legs. [FORMAL ]

quad|ru|ple /kwɒ druː p ^ə l/ (quadruples , quadrupling , quadrupled )

1 VERB If someone quadruples an amount or if it quadruples , it becomes four times bigger. □ [V n] Norway has quadrupled its exports to the E.U… □ [V ] The price has quadrupled in the last few years.

2 PREDET If one amount is quadruple another amount, it is four times bigger. □ They could sell their merchandise for quadruple the asking price.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use quadruple to indicate that something has four parts or happens four times. □ …a quadruple murder.

quad|ru|plet /kwɒ drʊplət, kwɒdruː -/ (quadruplets ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Quadruplets are four children who are born to the same mother at the same time.

quaff /kwɒ f/ (quaffs , quaffing , quaffed ) VERB If you quaff an alcoholic drink, you drink a lot of it in a short time. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] He's quaffed many a glass of champagne in his time.

quag|mire /kwæ gma I ə ^r / (quagmires )

1 N‑COUNT A quagmire is a difficult, complicated, or unpleasant situation which is not easy to avoid or escape from. □ [+ of ] His people had fallen further and further into a quagmire of confusion.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A quagmire is a soft, wet area of land which your feet sink into if you try to walk across it. □ Rain had turned the grass into a quagmire.

quail /kwe I l/ (quails or quail , quails , quailing , quailed )

1 N‑COUNT A quail is a type of small bird which is often shot and eaten.

2 VERB If someone or something makes you quail , they make you feel very afraid, often so that you hesitate. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] The very words make many of us quail. □ [V + at ] Kearon was no shrinking violet, but even he quailed at being handed 10lb of high explosive.

quaint /kwe I nt/ (quainter , quaintest ) ADJ Something that is quaint is attractive because it is unusual and old-fashioned. □ …a small, quaint town with narrow streets. ● quaint|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ This may seem a quaintly old-fashioned idea. ● quaint|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the quaintness of the rural north.

quake /kwe I k/ (quakes , quaking , quaked )

1 N‑COUNT A quake is the same as an earthquake . □ The quake destroyed mud buildings in many remote villages.

2 VERB If you quake , you shake, usually because you are very afraid. □ [V + with ] I just stood there quaking with fear. □ [V ] Her shoulders quaked.

3 PHRASE If you are quaking in your boots or quaking in your shoes , you feel extremely nervous or afraid.

Quak|er /kwe I kə ^r / (Quakers ) N‑COUNT A Quaker is a person who belongs to a Christian group called the Society of Friends.

quali|fi|ca|tion /kwɒ l I f I ke I ʃ ^ə n/ (qualifications )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your qualifications are the examinations that you have passed. □ Lucy wants to study medicine but needs more qualifications.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Qualification is the act of passing the examinations you need to work in a particular profession. □ Following qualification, he worked as a social worker.

3 N‑COUNT The qualifications you need for an activity or task are the qualities and skills that you need to be able to do it. □ Responsibility and reliability are necessary qualifications.

4 N‑VAR A qualification is a detail or explanation that you add to a statement to make it less strong or less general. □ The empirical evidence considered here is subject to many qualifications. ● PHRASE If something is stated or accepted without qualification , it is stated or accepted as it is, without the need for any changes. □ The government conceded to their demands almost without qualification.

quali|fied ◆◇◇ /kwɒ l I fa I d/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who is qualified has passed the examinations that they need to pass in order to work in a particular profession. □ Demand has far outstripped supply of qualified teachers.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you give someone or something qualified support or approval, your support or approval is not total because you have some doubts. □ The government has given qualified support to the idea.

3 PHRASE If you describe something as a qualified success , you mean that it is only partly successful. □ Even as a humanitarian mission it has been only a qualified success. SYNONYMS qualified ADJ 1

trained: Mr. Koutab is an American-trained lawyer.

competent: Most adults do not feel competent to deal with a medical emergency involving a child.

experienced: It's a team packed with experienced and mature professionals.

quali|fi|er /kwɒ l I fa I ə ^r / (qualifiers )

1 N‑COUNT A qualifier is an early round or match in some competitions. The players or teams who are successful are able to continue to the next round or to the main competition. □ Last week Wales lost 5-1 to Romania in a World Cup qualifier.

2 N‑COUNT In grammar, a qualifier is a word or group of words that comes after a noun and gives more information about the person or thing that the noun refers to.

3 → see also qualify

quali|fy ◆◇◇ /kwɒ l I fa I / (qualifies , qualifying , qualified )

1 VERB When someone qualifies , they pass the examinations that they need to be able to work in a particular profession. □ [V ] But when I'd qualified and started teaching it was a different story. □ [V + as/in ] I qualified as a doctor from London University over 30 years ago. [Also V to-inf]

2 VERB If you qualify for something or if something qualifies you for it, you have the right to do it or have it. □ [V + for ] To qualify for maternity leave you must have worked for the same employer for two years. □ [V n to-inf] The basic course does not qualify you to practise as a therapist. □ [V n + for ] …skills that qualify foreigners for work visas. □ [V -ed] …highly trained staff who are well qualified to give unbiased, practical advice. [Also V , V to-inf]

3 VERB To qualify as something or to be qualified as something means to have all the features that are needed to be that thing. □ [V + as ] 13 percent of American households qualify as poor, says Mr. Mishel. □ [V n + as ] These people seem to think that reading a few books on old age qualifies them as experts. [Also V ]

4 VERB If you qualify in a competition, you are successful in one part of it and go on to the next stage. □ [V + for ] Nottingham Forest qualified for the final by beating Tranmere on Tuesday. □ [V ] Cameroon have also qualified after beating Sierra Leone. □ [V -ing] …a World Cup qualifying match. ● quali|fi|er (qualifiers ) N‑COUNT □ He was the fastest qualifier for the 800 metres final.

5 VERB If you qualify a statement, you make it less strong or less general by adding a detail or explanation to it. □ [V n] I would qualify that by putting it into context.

6 → see also qualified

quali|ta|tive /kwɒ l I tət I v, [AM ] -te I t-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Qualitative means relating to the nature or standard of something, rather than to its quantity. [FORMAL ] □ There are qualitative differences in the way children and adults think. ● quali|ta|tive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The new media are unlikely to prove qualitatively different from the old.

qual|ity ◆◆◇ /kwɒ l I ti/ (qualities )

1 N‑UNCOUNT The quality of something is how good or bad it is. □ Everyone can greatly improve the quality of life. □ Other services vary dramatically in quality. □ …high-quality paper and plywood.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Something of quality is of a high standard. □ …a college of quality. □ In our work, quality is paramount.

3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Someone's qualities are the good characteristics that they have which are part of their nature. □ He wanted to introduce mature people with leadership qualities.

4 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] You can describe a particular characteristic of a person or thing as a quality . □ …a childlike quality. □ [+ of ] …the pretentious quality of the poetry.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] The quality papers or the quality press are the more serious newspapers which give detailed accounts of world events, as well as reports on business, culture, and society. [BRIT ] □ Even the quality papers agreed that it was a triumph. COLLOCATIONS quality NOUN 1

noun + quality : air, picture, sound, water

adjective + quality : excellent, fine, high, top; poor

verb + quality : affect, assess; improve SYNONYMS quality NOUN

1

standard: The standard of professional cricket has never been lower.

condition: I received several compliments on the condition of my skin.

calibre: I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts.

3

characteristic: Genes determine the characteristics of every living thing.

feature: The spacious gardens are a special feature of this property.

attribute: He has every attribute you could want and could play for any team.

qua l|ity ci r|cle (quality circles ) N‑COUNT A quality circle is a small group of workers and managers who meet to solve problems and improve the quality of the organization's products or services. [BUSINESS ] □ Riddick's first move was to form a quality circle.

qua l|ity con|tro l N‑UNCOUNT In an organization that produces goods or provides services, quality control is the activity of checking that the goods or services are of an acceptable standard. [BUSINESS ]

qua l|ity ti me N‑UNCOUNT If people spend quality time together, they spend a period of time relaxing or doing things that they both enjoy, and not worrying about work or other responsibilities. [APPROVAL ]

qualm /kwɑː m/ (qualms ) N‑COUNT If you have no qualms about doing something, you are not worried that it may be wrong in some way. □ [+ about ] I have no qualms about recommending this approach.

quan|da|ry /kwɒ ndəri/ (quandaries ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you are in a quandary , you have to make a decision but cannot decide what to do. □ [+ about ] The government appears to be in a quandary about what to do with so many people.

quango /kwæ ŋgoʊ/ (quangos ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a quango is a committee which is appointed by the government but works independently. A quango has responsibility for a particular area of activity, for example the giving of government grants to arts organizations.

quan|ti|fi|able /kwɒ nt I fa I əb ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is quantifiable can be measured or counted in a scientific way. □ A clearly quantifiable measure of quality is not necessary.

quan|ti|fi|er /kwɒ nt I fa I ə ^r / (quantifiers ) N‑COUNT In grammar, a quantifier is a word or phrase such as 'plenty' or 'a lot' which you use to refer to a quantity of something without being precise. It is often followed by 'of', as in 'a lot of money'.

quan|ti|fy /kwɒ nt I fa I / (quantifies , quantifying , quantified ) VERB If you try to quantify something, you try to calculate how much of it there is. □ [V n] It is difficult to quantify an exact figure as firms are reluctant to declare their losses. ● quan|ti|fi|ca|tion /kwɒ nt I f I ke I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Others are more susceptible to attempts at quantification.

quan|ti|ta|tive /kwɒ nt I tət I v, [AM ] -te I t-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Quantitative means relating to different sizes or amounts of things. [FORMAL ] □ …the advantages of quantitative and qualitative research. ● quan|ti|ta|tive|ly ADV □ We cannot predict quantitatively the value or the cost of a new technology.

quan|ti|ta|tive eas|ing N‑UNCOUNT Quantitative easing is the practice of increasing the supply of money in order to encourage activity in an economy. □ The Bank of England has continued to hold UK interest rates and announced no change to its quantitative easing programme.

quan|tity ◆◇◇ /kwɒ nt I ti/ (quantities )

1 N‑VAR A quantity is an amount that you can measure or count. □ [+ of ] …a small quantity of water. □ [+ of ] …vast quantities of food. □ Cheap goods are available, but not in sufficient quantities to satisfy demand.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Things that are produced or available in quantity are produced or available in large amounts. □ After some initial problems, acetone was successfully produced in quantity.

3 N‑UNCOUNT You can use quantity to refer to the amount of something that there is, especially when you want to contrast it with its quality. □ …the less discerning drinker who prefers quantity to quality.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is an unknown quantity , you mean that not much is known about what they are like or how they will behave. □ He is an unknown quantity for his rivals. SYNONYMS quantity NOUN 1

amount: He needs that amount of money to survive.

number: Quite a considerable number of interviews are going on.

size: Iraq itself has oil reserves second in size only to Saudi Arabia's.

qua n|tity sur|ve y|or (quantity surveyors ) N‑COUNT A quantity surveyor is a person who calculates the cost and amount of materials and workers needed for a job such as building a house or a road. [BRIT ]

quan|tum /kwɒ ntəm/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] In physics, quantum theory and quantum mechanics are concerned with the behaviour of atomic particles. □ Both quantum mechanics and chaos theory suggest a world constantly in flux.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A quantum leap or quantum jump in something is a very great and sudden increase in its size, amount, or quality. □ The vaccine represents a quantum leap in healthcare.

quar|an|tine /kwɒ rəntiːn, [AM ] kwɔː r-/ (quarantines , quarantining , quarantined )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/into n] If a person or animal is in quarantine , they are being kept separate from other people or animals for a set period of time, usually because they have or may have a disease. □ She was sent home to Oxford and put in quarantine.

2 VERB [usu passive] If people or animals are quarantined , they are stopped from having contact with other people or animals. If a place is quarantined , people and animals are prevented from entering or leaving it. □ [be V -ed] Dogs have to be quarantined for six months before they'll let them in.

quark /kwɑː ^r k, [AM ] kwɔː rk/ (quarks ) N‑COUNT In physics, a quark is one of the basic units of matter.

quar|rel /kwɒ rəl, [AM ] kwɔː r-/ (quarrels , quarrelling , quarrelled ) in AM, use quarreling , quarreled 1 N‑COUNT A quarrel is an angry argument between two or more friends or family members. □ [+ with ] I had a terrible quarrel with my other brothers.

2 N‑COUNT Quarrels between countries or groups of people are disagreements, which may be diplomatic or include fighting. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ with ] Canning thought that Persia would probably not want to risk a quarrel with England.

3 VERB When two or more people quarrel , they have an angry argument. □ [V ] At one point we quarrelled, over something silly. □ [V + with ] My brother quarrelled with my father.

4 N‑SING [with neg] If you say that you have no quarrel with someone or something, you mean that you do not disagree with them. □ [+ with ] We have no quarrel with the people of Spain or of any other country.

quar|rel|some /kwɒ rəlsəm, [AM ] kwɔː r-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A quarrelsome person often gets involved in arguments. □ Benedict had been a wild boy and a quarrelsome young man.

quar|ry /kwɒ ri, [AM ] kwɔː ri/ (quarries , quarrying , quarried )

1 N‑COUNT A quarry is an area that is dug out from a piece of land or the side of a mountain in order to get stone or minerals. □ …an old limestone quarry.

2 VERB When stone or minerals are quarried or when an area is quarried for them, they are removed from the area by digging, drilling, or using explosives. □ [be V -ed] The large limestone caves are also quarried for cement. □ [V -ed] …locally quarried stone. ● quar|ry|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Farming, quarrying and other local industries have declined.

3 N‑SING A person's or animal's quarry is the person or animal that they are hunting.

quart /kwɔː ^r t/ (quarts ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A quart is a unit of volume that is equal to two pints. □ [+ of ] Pick up a quart of milk or a loaf of bread.

quar|ter ◆◆◇ /kwɔː ^r tə ^r / (quarters , quartering , quartered )

1 FRACTION A quarter is one of four equal parts of something. □ [+ of ] A quarter of the residents are over 55 years old. □ [+ of ] I've got to go in a quarter of an hour. □ Prices have fallen by a quarter since January. □ Cut the peppers into quarters. ● PREDET Quarter is also a predeterminer. □ The largest asteroid is Ceres, which is about a quarter the size of the moon. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Quarter is also an adjective. □ …the past quarter century.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A quarter is a fixed period of three months. Companies often divide their financial year into four quarters. □ The group said results for the third quarter are due on October 29.

3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] When you are telling the time, you use quarter to talk about the fifteen minutes before or after an hour. For example, 8.15 is quarter past eight, and 8.45 is quarter to nine. In American English, you can also say that 8.15 is a quarter after eight and 8.45 is a quarter of nine. □ [+ to ] It was quarter to six. □ [+ of ] I got a call at a quarter of seven one night.

4 VERB If you quarter something such as a fruit or a vegetable, you cut it into four roughly equal parts. □ [V n] Chop the mushrooms and quarter the tomatoes.

5 VERB [usu passive] If the number or size of something is quartered , it is reduced to about a quarter of its previous number or size. □ [be V -ed] The doses I suggested for adults could be halved or quartered.

6 N‑COUNT A quarter is an American or Canadian coin that is worth 25 cents. □ I dropped a quarter into the slot of the pay phone.

7 N‑COUNT A particular quarter of a town is a part of the town where a particular group of people traditionally live or work. □ Look for hotels in the French Quarter.

8 N‑COUNT To refer to a person or group you may not want to name, you can talk about the reactions or actions from a particular quarter . □ Help came from an unexpected quarter.

9 N‑PLURAL The rooms provided for soldiers, sailors, or servants to live in are called their quarters . □ Mckinnon went down from deck to the officers' quarters.

10 PHRASE If you do something at close quarters , you do it very near to a particular person or thing. □ You can watch aircraft take off or land at close quarters.

quarter|back /kwɔː ^r tə ^r bæk/ (quarterbacks ) N‑COUNT In American football, a quarterback is the player on the attacking team who begins each play and who decides which play to use. [AM ]

qua rter-fi nal (quarter-finals ) in AM, use quarterfinal N‑COUNT A quarter-final is one of the four matches in a competition which decides which four players or teams will compete in the semi-final. □ The very least I'm looking for in this tournament is to reach the quarter-finals.

qua rter-fi nalist (quarter-finalists ) N‑COUNT A quarter-finalist is a person or team that is competing in a quarter-final.

quar|ter|ly /kwɔː ^r tə ^r li/ (quarterlies )

1 ADJ A quarterly event happens four times a year, at intervals of three months. □ …the latest Bank of Japan quarterly survey of 5,000 companies. ● ADV [ADV after v] Quarterly is also an adverb. □ It makes no difference whether dividends are paid quarterly or annually.

2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A quarterly is a magazine that is published four times a year, at intervals of three months.

qua r|ter note (quarter notes ) N‑COUNT A quarter note is a musical note that has a time value equal to two eighth notes. [AM ] in BRIT, use crotchet

qua r|ter pou nd|er (quarter pounders ) N‑COUNT A quarter pounder is a hamburger that weighs four ounces before it is cooked. Four ounces is a quarter of a pound.

quar|tet /kwɔː ^r te t/ (quartets )

1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A quartet is a group of four people who play musical instruments or sing together. □ …a string quartet. □ [+ of ] …a quartet of singers.

2 N‑COUNT A quartet is a piece of music for four instruments or four singers.

quartz /kwɔː ^r ts/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Quartz is a mineral in the form of a hard, shiny crystal. It is used in making electronic equipment and very accurate watches and clocks. □ …a quartz crystal.

qua|sar /kwe I zɑː ^r / (quasars ) N‑COUNT A quasar is an object far away in space that produces bright light and radio waves.

quash /kwɒ ʃ/ (quashes , quashing , quashed )

1 VERB If a court or someone in authority quashes a decision or judgment, they officially reject it. □ [V n] The Appeal Court has quashed the convictions of all eleven people.

2 VERB If someone quashes rumours, they say or do something to demonstrate that the rumours are not true. □ [V n] Graham attempted to quash rumours of growing discontent.

3 VERB To quash a rebellion or protest means to stop it, often in a violent way. □ [V n] Troops were displaying an obvious reluctance to get involved in quashing demonstrations.

quasi- /kwe I za I -/ COMB Quasi- is used to form adjectives and nouns that describe something as being in many ways like something else, without actually being that thing. □ The flame is a quasi-religious emblem of immortality.

qua|ver /kwe I və ^r / (quavers , quavering , quavered )

1 VERB If someone's voice quavers , it sounds unsteady, usually because they are nervous or uncertain. □ [V ] Her voice quavered and she fell silent. ● N‑COUNT Quaver is also a noun. □ [+ in ] There was a quaver in Beryl's voice.

2 N‑COUNT A quaver is a musical note that is half as long as a crotchet. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use eighth note

quay /kiː / (quays ) N‑COUNT A quay is a long platform beside the sea or a river where boats can be tied up and loaded or unloaded. □ Jack and Stephen were waiting for them on the quay.

quay|side /kiː sa I d/ (quaysides ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A quayside is the same as a quay . □ A large group had gathered on the quayside to see them off.

quea|sy /kwiː zi/ (queasier , queasiest ) ADJ If you feel queasy or if you have a queasy stomach, you feel rather ill, as if you are going to be sick. [INFORMAL ] □ He was very prone to seasickness and already felt queasy. ● quea|si|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The food did nothing to stifle her queasiness.

queen ◆◆◇ /kwiː n/ (queens )

1 N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A queen is a woman who rules a country as its monarch. □ …Queen Victoria. □ She met the Queen last week.

2 N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A queen is a woman who is married to a king. □ The king and queen had fled.

3 N‑COUNT [n N ] If you refer to a woman as the queen of a particular activity, you mean that she is well-known for being very good at it. □ [+ of ] …the queen of crime writing.

4 → see also beauty queen

5 N‑COUNT In chess, the queen is the most powerful piece. It can be moved in any direction.

6 N‑COUNT A queen is a playing card with a picture of a queen on it. □ [+ of ] …the queen of spades.

7 N‑COUNT A queen or a queen bee is a large female bee which can lay eggs.

queen|ly /kwiː nli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use queenly to describe a woman's appearance or behaviour if she looks very dignified or behaves as if she is very important. □ She was a queenly, organizing type.

Quee n Mo th|er N‑PROPER The Queen Mother is the mother of a ruling king or queen.

quee n-size also queen-sized ADJ [ADJ n] A queen-size bed is larger than a double bed, but smaller than a king-size bed.

queer /kw I ə ^r / (queerer , queerest , queers )

1 ADJ Something that is queer is strange. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ If you ask me, there's something a bit queer going on.

2 N‑COUNT People sometimes call homosexual men queers . [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE ] ● ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Queer is also an adjective. □ …queer men.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Queer means relating to homosexual people, and is used by some homosexuals. □ …contemporary queer culture.

quell /kwe l/ (quells , quelling , quelled )

1 VERB To quell opposition or violent behaviour means to stop it. □ [V n] Troops eventually quelled the unrest.

2 VERB If you quell an unpleasant feeling such as fear or anger, you stop yourself or other people from having that feeling. □ [V n] The Information Minister is trying to quell fears of a looming oil crisis.

quench /kwe ntʃ/ (quenches , quenching , quenched ) VERB If someone who is thirsty quenches their thirst , they lose their thirst by having a drink. □ [V n] He stopped to quench his thirst at a stream.

queru|lous /kwe rʊləs/ ADJ Someone who is querulous often complains about things. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ A querulous male voice said, 'Look, are you going to order, or what?'

que|ry /kw I ə ri/ (queries , querying , queried )

1 N‑COUNT A query is a question, especially one that you ask an organization, publication, or expert. □ [+ about ] While she was off work, the Manager of the firm phoned her many times with queries about accounts and customers.

2 VERB If you query something, you check it by asking about it because you are not sure if it is correct. □ [V n] It's got a number you can ring to query your bill.

3 VERB To query means to ask a question. □ [V with quote] 'Is there something else?' Ryle queried as Helen stopped speaking. □ [V wh] One of the journalists queried whether sabotage could have been involved. [Also V n]

quest /kwe st/ (quests ) N‑COUNT [N to-inf] A quest is a long and difficult search for something. [LITERARY ] □ [+ for ] My quest for a better bank continues. ● PHRASE If you go in quest of something, you try to find or obtain it. □ [+ of ] He went on to say that he was going to New York in quest of peace.

quest|ing /kwe st I ŋ/ VERB [only cont] If you are questing for something, you are searching for it. [LITERARY ] □ [V + for ] He had been questing for religious belief from an early age. □ [V -ing] …his questing mind and boundless enthusiasm.

ques|tion ◆◆◆ /kwe stʃ ^ə n/ (questions , questioning , questioned )

1 N‑COUNT A question is something that you say or write in order to ask a person about something. □ [+ about ] They asked a great many questions about England. □ [+ on ] The President refused to answer further questions on the subject.

2 VERB If you question someone, you ask them a lot of questions about something. □ [V n] This led the therapist to question Jim about his parents. ● ques|tion|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The police have detained thirty-two people for questioning.

3 VERB If you question something, you have or express doubts about whether it is true, reasonable, or worthwhile. □ [V n] It never occurs to them to question the doctor's decisions.

4 N‑SING If you say that there is some question about something, you mean that there is doubt or uncertainty about it. If something is in question or has been called into question , doubt or uncertainty has been expressed about it. □ There's no question about their success. □ The paper says the President's move has called into question the whole basis of democracy in the country. □ With the loyalty of key military units in question, that could prove an extraordinarily difficult task.

5 N‑COUNT A question is a problem, matter, or point which needs to be considered. □ [+ of ] But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one.

6 N‑COUNT The questions in an examination are the problems which are set in order to test your knowledge or ability. □ That question did come up in the examination.

7 → see also cross-question , leading question , questioning , trick question

8 PHRASE The person, thing, or time in question is one which you have just been talking about or which is relevant. □ Add up all the income you've received over the period in question.

9 PHRASE If you say that something is out of the question , you are emphasizing that it is completely impossible or unacceptable. [EMPHASIS ] □ For the homeless, private medical care is simply out of the question.

10 PHRASE If you pop the question , you ask someone to marry you. [JOURNALISM , INFORMAL ] □ Stuart got serious quickly and popped the question six months later.

11 PHRASE If you say there is no question of something happening, you are emphasizing that it is not going to happen. [EMPHASIS ] □ As far as he was concerned there was no question of betraying his own comrades. □ There is no question of the tax-payer picking up the bill for the party.

12 PHRASE If you do something without question , you do it without arguing or asking why it is necessary. □ …military formations, carrying out without question the battle orders of superior officers.

13 PHRASE You use without question to emphasize the opinion you are expressing. [EMPHASIS ] □ He was our greatest storyteller, without question.

ques|tion|able /kwe stʃənəb ^ə l/ ADJ If you say that something is questionable , you mean that it is not completely honest, reasonable, or acceptable. [FORMAL ] □ He has been dogged by allegations of questionable business practices.

ques|tion|er /kwe stʃənə ^r / (questioners ) N‑COUNT A questioner is a person who is asking a question. □ He agreed with the questioner.

ques|tion|ing /kwe stʃən I ŋ/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a questioning expression on their face, they look as if they want to know the answer to a question. [WRITTEN ] □ He raised a questioning eyebrow. ● ques|tion|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Brenda looked questioningly at Daniel.

2 → see also question

que s|tion mark (question marks )

1 N‑COUNT A question mark is the punctuation mark ? which is used in writing at the end of a question.

2 N‑COUNT If there is doubt or uncertainty about something, you can say that there is a question mark over it. □ [+ over ] There are bound to be question marks over his future.

ques|tion|naire /kwe stʃəneə ^r , ke s-/ (questionnaires ) N‑COUNT A questionnaire is a written list of questions which are answered by a lot of people in order to provide information for a report or a survey. □ Headteachers will be asked to fill in a questionnaire.

que s|tion tag (question tags ) N‑COUNT In grammar, a question tag is a very short clause at the end of a statement which changes the statement into a question. For example, in 'She said half price, didn't she?', the words 'didn't she' are a question tag.

queue /kjuː / (queues , queuing , queued ) queueing can also be used as the continuous form. 1 N‑COUNT A queue is a line of people or vehicles that are waiting for something. [mainly BRIT ] □ I watched as he got a tray and joined the queue. □ She waited in the bus queue. [Also + for/of ] in AM, usually use line 2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say there is a queue of people who want to do or have something, you mean that a lot of people are waiting for an opportunity to do it or have it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] Manchester United would be at the front of a queue of potential buyers. in AM, usually use line 3 VERB When people queue , they stand in a line waiting for something. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V ] I had to queue for quite a while. □ [V + for ] …a line of women queueing for bread. ● PHRASAL VERB Queue up means the same as queue . □ [V P ] A mob of journalists are queuing up at the gate to photograph him. □ [V P + for ] We all had to queue up for our ration books. [in AM, usually use line up ]

4 N‑COUNT A queue is a list of computer tasks which will be done in order. [COMPUTING ] □ Your print job has been sent to the network print queue.

5 VERB To queue a number of computer tasks means to arrange them to be done in order. [COMPUTING ]

▸ queue up

1 PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If you say that people are queuing up to do or have something, you mean that a lot of them want the opportunity to do it or have it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P to-inf] People are queueing up to work for me! □ [V P + for ] There are a growing number of countries queueing up for membership. in AM, usually use line up 2 → see also queue 3

queu e-jumping N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of queue-jumping , you mean that they are trying to get to the front of a queue or waiting list unfairly. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …queue-jumping within the health service.

quib|ble /kw I b ^ə l/ (quibbles , quibbling , quibbled )

1 VERB When people quibble over a small matter, they argue about it even though it is not important. □ [V + over/about ] Council members spent the day quibbling over the final wording of the resolution. [Also V + with ]

2 N‑COUNT A quibble is a small and unimportant complaint about something. □ These are minor quibbles.

quiche /kiː ʃ/ (quiches ) N‑VAR A quiche is a pastry case filled with a savoury mixture of eggs, cheese, and often other foods.

quick ◆◆◆ /kw I k/ (quicker , quickest )

1 ADJ Someone or something that is quick moves or does things with great speed. □ You'll have to be quick. The flight leaves in about three hours. □ I think I'm a reasonably quick learner. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Cussane worked quickly and methodically. ● quick|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the natural quickness of his mind.

2 ADV [ADV after v] Quicker is sometimes used to mean 'at a greater speed', and quickest to mean 'at the greatest speed'. Quick is sometimes used to mean 'with great speed'. Some people consider this to be non-standard. [INFORMAL ] □ Warm the sugar slightly first to make it dissolve quicker.

3 ADJ Something that is quick takes or lasts only a short time. □ He took one last quick look about the room. □ Although this recipe looks long, it is actually very quick to prepare. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ You can become fitter quite quickly and easily.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Quick means happening without delay or with very little delay. □ These investors feel the need to make quick profits. ● quick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It quickly became the most popular men's fragrance in the world.

5 ADV [ADV after v] Quick is sometimes used to mean 'with very little delay'. [INFORMAL ] □ I got away as quick as I could.

6 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you are quick to do something, you do not hesitate to do it. □ He 's quick to praise his co-stars' acting skills as well as their beauty.

7 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a quick temper, they are easily made angry.

8 PHRASE If something cuts you to the quick , it makes you feel very upset. [LITERARY ] □ I once heard her weeping in her bedroom, which cut me to the quick.

9 quick as a flash → see flash

10 quick off the mark → see mark

11 quick on the uptake → see uptake SYNONYMS quick ADJ 1

fast: Brindley was known as a very, very fast driver.

rapid: …the country's rapid economic growth in the 1980's.

speedy: We wish Maria a speedy recovery.

swift: The police were swift to act.

quick- /kw I k-/ COMB quick- is added to words, especially present participles, to form adjectives which indicate that a person or thing does something quickly. □ He was saved by quick-thinking neighbours. □ …quick-drying paint.

quick|en /kw I kən/ (quickens , quickening , quickened ) VERB If something quickens or if you quicken it, it becomes faster or moves at a greater speed. □ [V ] Ainslie's pulse quickened in alarm. □ [V n] He quickened his pace a little.

quick|fire /kw I kfa I ə ^r / also quick-fire ADJ [ADJ n] Quickfire speech or action is very fast with no pauses in it. □ …that talent for quickfire response.

qui ck fi x (quick fixes ) N‑COUNT [oft with neg] If you refer to a quick fix to a problem, you mean a way of solving a problem that is easy but temporary or inadequate. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …tax measures enacted as a quick fix.

quickie /kw I ki/ (quickies ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A quickie is something that only takes a very short time. [INFORMAL ] □ There's no quickie cure.

quick|sand /kw I ksænd/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Quicksand is deep, wet sand that you sink into if you try to walk on it. □ The sandbank was uncertain, like quicksand under his feet.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a situation as quicksand when you want to suggest that it is dangerous or difficult to escape from, or does not provide a strong basis for what you are doing. □ The research seemed founded on quicksand.

quick|silver /kw I ks I lvə ^r /

1 N‑UNCOUNT Quicksilver is the same as mercury . [OLD-FASHIONED ]

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Quicksilver movements or changes are very fast and unpredictable. □ …her quicksilver changes of mood.

qui ck-te mpered ADJ Someone who is quick-tempered often gets angry without having a good reason.

qui ck-wi tted ADJ Someone who is quick-witted is intelligent and good at thinking quickly.

quid /kw I d/ (quid ) N‑COUNT A quid is a pound in money. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It cost him five hundred quid.

qui d pro quo (quid pro quos ) N‑COUNT A quid pro quo is a gift or advantage that is given to someone in return for something that they have done. [FORMAL ] □ The statement is emphatic in stating that there must be a quid pro quo.

quids /kw I dz/ PHRASE If you are quids in , you have more money left than you expected or get more for your money than you expected. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Still, we were quids in, we didn't care!

qui|es|cent /kwie s ^ə nt, [AM ] kwa I -/ ADJ Someone or something that is quiescent is quiet and inactive. [LITERARY ] □ …a society which was politically quiescent and above all deferential. ● qui|es|cence N‑UNCOUNT □ …a long period of quiescence.

qui|et ◆◆◇ /kwa I ət/ (quieter , quietest , quiets , quieting , quieted )

1 ADJ Someone or something that is quiet makes only a small amount of noise. □ Tania kept the children reasonably quiet and contented. □ A quiet murmur passed through the classroom. □ The airlines have invested enormous sums in new, quieter aircraft. ● qui|et|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'This is goodbye, isn't it?' she said quietly. ● qui|et|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the smoothness and quietness of the flight.

2 ADJ If a place is quiet , there is very little noise there. □ She was received in a small, quiet office. □ The street was unnaturally quiet. ● qui|et|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] I miss the quietness of the countryside.

3 ADJ If a place, situation, or time is quiet , there is no excitement, activity, or trouble. □ It is very quiet without him. □ While he wanted Los Angeles and partying, she wanted a quiet life. ● qui|et|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ His most prized time, though, will be spent quietly on his farm. ● qui|et|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I do very much appreciate the quietness and privacy here.

4 N‑UNCOUNT Quiet is silence. □ He called for quiet and announced that the next song was in our honor.

5 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are quiet , you are not saying anything. □ I told them to be quiet and go to sleep. ● qui|et|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Amy stood quietly in the doorway watching him.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer, for example, to someone's quiet confidence or quiet despair, you mean that they do not say much about the way they are feeling. □ He has a quiet confidence in his ability. ● qui|et|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ Nigel Deering, the publisher, is quietly confident about the magazine's chances.

7 ADJ [ADJ n] You describe activities as quiet when they happen in secret or in such a way that people do not notice them. □ The Swedes had sought his freedom through quiet diplomacy. ● qui|et|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ I slipped away quietly. □ The goal of shifting freight from road to rail has been quietly abandoned.

8 ADJ A quiet person behaves in a calm way and is not easily made angry or upset. □ He's a nice quiet man.

9 VERB If someone or something quiets or if you quiet them, they become less noisy, less active, or silent. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] The wind dropped and the sea quieted. □ [V n] He quieted the crowd with a gesture. in BRIT, usually use quieten 10 VERB To quiet fears or complaints means to persuade people that there is no good reason for them. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] Music seemed to quiet her anxiety and loneliness. in BRIT, usually use quieten

11 PHRASE If someone does not go quietly , they do not leave a particular job or a place without complaining or resisting. □ She's not going to go quietly.

12 PHRASE If you keep quiet about something or keep something quiet , you do not say anything about it. □ I told her to keep quiet about it.

13 PHRASE If something is done on the quiet , it is done secretly or in such a way that people do not notice it. □ She'd promised to give him driving lessons, on the quiet, when no one could see.

▸ quiet down PHRASAL VERB If someone or something quiets down or if you quiet them down , they become less noisy or less active. [mainly AM ] □ [V P ] Once the vote was taken, things quieted down quickly. □ [V n P ] Try gradually to quiet them down as bedtime approaches. in BRIT, usually use quieten down SYNONYMS quiet ADJ

1

low: Her voice was so low he had to strain to catch it.

soft: When he woke again he could hear soft music.

faint: She became aware of the soft, faint sounds of water dripping.

inaudible: His voice was almost inaudible.

2

peaceful: …a peaceful Georgian house in the heart of Dorset.

silent: The room was silent except for John's crunching.

still: In the room it was very still.

qui|et|en /kwa I ət ^ə n/ (quietens , quietening , quietened )

1 VERB If you quieten someone or something, or if they quieten , you make them become less noisy, less active, or silent. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] She tried to quieten her breathing. □ [V ] A man shouted and the dogs suddenly quietened. in AM, usually use quiet 2 VERB To quieten fears or complaints means to persuade people that there is no good reason for them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] The President has been working hard to quieten such fears, assuring investors that he has no wish to change current policies. in AM, usually use quiet

▸ quieten down PHRASAL VERB If someone or something quietens down or if you quieten them down , they become less noisy or less active. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] The labour unrest which swept the country last week has quietened down. □ [V n P ] Somehow I managed to quieten her down. □ [V P n] Tom's words before the match might also have quietened down our own supporters. in AM, usually use quiet down

qui|etude /kwa I ətjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT Quietude is quietness and calm. [FORMAL ]

quiff /kw I f/ (quiffs ) N‑COUNT If a man has a quiff , his hair has been combed upwards and backwards from his forehead. [mainly BRIT ] □ I attempted a classic rock and roll quiff.

quill /kw I l/ (quills )

1 N‑COUNT A quill is a pen made from a bird's feather. □ She dipped a quill in ink, then began to write.

2 N‑COUNT A bird's quills are large, stiff feathers on its wings and tail.

3 N‑COUNT The quills of a porcupine are the long sharp points on its body.

quilt /kw I lt/ (quilts )

1 N‑COUNT A quilt is a thin cover filled with feathers or some other warm, soft material, which you put over your blankets when you are in bed. □ …an old patchwork quilt.

2 N‑COUNT A quilt is the same as a duvet . [BRIT ]

quilt|ed /kw I lt I d/ ADJ Something that is quilted consists of two layers of fabric with a layer of thick material between them, often decorated with lines of stitching which form a pattern. □ …a quilted bedspread.

quince /kw I ns/ (quinces ) N‑VAR A quince is a hard yellow fruit. Quinces are used for making jelly or jam.

qui|nine /kw I niː n, [AM ] kwa I na I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Quinine is a drug that is used to treat fevers such as malaria.

quinoa /kiː nwɑː/ N‑UNCOUNT Quinoa is the small round seeds of a South American plant, eaten as a grain and popular as a health food.

quin|tes|sence /kw I nte s ^ə ns/

1 N‑UNCOUNT The quintessence of something is the most perfect or typical example of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He was the quintessence of all that Eva most deeply loathed.

2 N‑UNCOUNT The quintessence of something is the aspect of it which seems to represent its central nature. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …an old stone cottage, the quintessence of rural England.

quin|tes|sen|tial /kw I nt I se nʃ ^ə l/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Quintessential means representing a perfect or typical example of something. [FORMAL ] □ Everybody thinks of him as the quintessential New Yorker. ● quin|tes|sen|tial|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ It is a familiar, and quintessentially British, ritual.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Quintessential means representing the central nature of something. [FORMAL ] □ …the quintessential charm of his songs.

quin|tet /kw I nte t/ (quintets )

1 N‑COUNT A quintet is a group of five singers or musicians singing or playing together.

2 N‑COUNT A quintet is a piece of music written for five instruments or five singers.

quip /kw I p/ (quips , quipping , quipped )

1 N‑COUNT A quip is a remark that is intended to be amusing or clever. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ about ] The commentators make endless quips about the female players' appearance.

2 VERB To quip means to say something that is intended to be amusing or clever. [WRITTEN ] □ [V with quote] 'He'll have to go on a diet,' Ballard quipped. □ [V that] The chairman quipped that he would rather sell his airline than his computer systems.

quirk /kwɜː ^r k/ (quirks )

1 N‑COUNT [adj N ] A quirk is something unusual or interesting that happens by chance. □ [+ of ] It was almost a quirk of fate he and Foy should have been in charge.

2 N‑COUNT A quirk is a habit or aspect of a person's character which is odd or unusual. □ Brown was fascinated by people's quirks and foibles.

quirky /kwɜː ^r ki/ (quirkier , quirkiest ) ADJ Something or someone that is quirky is rather odd or unpredictable in their appearance, character, or behaviour. □ We've developed a reputation for being quite quirky and original. ● quirki|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] You will probably notice an element of quirkiness in his behaviour.

quis|ling /kw I zl I ŋ/ (quislings ) N‑COUNT A quisling is someone who helps an enemy army that has taken control of their country. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

quit ◆◇◇ /kw I t/ (quits , quitting ) The form quit is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB If you quit your job, you choose to leave it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He quit his job as an office boy in Athens. □ [V ] He figured he would quit before Johnson fired him.

2 VERB If you quit an activity or quit doing something, you stop doing it. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] A nicotine spray can help smokers quit the habit. □ [V v-ing] I was trying to quit smoking at the time.

3 VERB If you quit a place, you leave it completely and do not go back to it. □ [V n] …the idea that humans might one day quit the earth to colonise other planets.

4 PHRASE If you say that you are going to call it quits , you mean that you have decided to stop doing something or being involved in something. □ They raised $630,000 through listener donations, and then called it quits. SYNONYMS quit VERB 1

step down/aside: Many would prefer him to step aside in favour of a younger man.

resign: A hospital administrator has resigned over claims he lied to get the job.

leave: I am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction.

quite ◆◆◆ /kwa I t/

1 ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV before v] You use quite to indicate that something is the case to a fairly great extent. Quite is less emphatic than 'very' and 'extremely'. [VAGUENESS ] □ I felt quite bitter about it at the time. □ Well, actually it requires quite a bit of work and research. □ I was quite a long way away, on the terrace.

2 ADV [ADV before v] You use quite to emphasize what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ It is quite clear that we were firing in self defence. □ That's a general British failing. In the U.S.A. it's quite different.

3 ADV [ADV before v] You use quite after a negative to make what you are saying weaker or less definite. [VAGUENESS ] □ Something here is not quite right. □ After treatment he was able to continue but he was never quite the same.

4 PREDET You use quite in front of a noun group to emphasize that a person or thing is very impressive or unusual. [APPROVAL ] □ 'Oh, he's quite a character,' Sean replied. □ It's quite a city, Boston.

5 ADV You can say ' quite ' to express your agreement with someone. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'And if you buy the record it's your choice isn't it.'—'Quite'. SYNONYMS quite ADV 1

rather: I grew up in rather unusual circumstances.

fairly: Both ships are fairly new.

somewhat: He concluded that Oswald was somewhat odd.

reasonably: I can dance reasonably well. USAGE quite

You can use quite in front of a , followed by an adjective and a noun. Don’t say, for example, ‘ She was a quite pretty girl ’. □ She was quite a pretty girl .

quit|ter /kw I tə ^r / (quitters ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is not a quitter , you mean that they continue doing something even though it is very difficult. □ He won't resign because he's not a quitter.

quiv|er /kw I və ^r / (quivers , quivering , quivered )

1 VERB If something quivers , it shakes with very small movements. □ [V ] Her bottom lip quivered and big tears rolled down her cheeks.

2 VERB If you say that someone or their voice is quivering with an emotion such as rage or excitement, you mean that they are strongly affected by this emotion and show it in their appearance or voice. □ [V + with ] Cooper arrived, quivering with rage. ● N‑COUNT Quiver is also a noun. □ [+ of ] I felt a quiver of panic.

quix|ot|ic /kw I ksɒ t I k/ ADJ If you describe someone's ideas or plans as quixotic , you mean that they are imaginative or hopeful but unrealistic. [FORMAL ] □ He has always lived his life by a hopelessly quixotic code of honour.

quiz /kw I z/ (quizzes , quizzing , quizzed )

1 N‑COUNT A quiz is a game or competition in which someone tests your knowledge by asking you questions. □ We'll have a quiz at the end of the show.

2 VERB If you are quizzed by someone about something, they ask you questions about it. □ [be V -ed + about ] He was quizzed about his income, debts and eligibility for state benefits. □ [V n + about ] Sybil quizzed her about life as a working girl.

quiz|master /kw I zmɑːstə ^r , -mæs-/ (quizmasters ) N‑COUNT A quizmaster is the person who asks the questions in a game or quiz on the television or radio. [mainly BRIT ]

quiz|zi|cal /kw I z I k ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you give someone a quizzical look or smile, you look at them in a way that shows that you are surprised or amused by their behaviour. □ He gave Robin a mildly quizzical glance. ● quiz|zi|cal|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ She looked at him quizzically.

quo /kwoʊ / → see quid pro quo , status quo

quoit /kɔ I t, [AM ] kwɔ I t/ (quoits )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Quoits is a game which is played by throwing rings over a small post. Quoits is usually played on board ships.

2 N‑COUNT A quoit is a ring used in the game of quoits.

Quon|set hut /kwɒ ns I t hʌt/ (Quonset huts ) N‑COUNT A Quonset hut is a military hut made of metal. The walls and roof form the shape of a semi-circle. [AM ] in BRIT, use Nissen hut

quor|ate /kwɔː re I t/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] When a committee is quorate , there are enough people present for it to conduct official business and make decisions. [BRIT ] □ The session was technically quorate.

quor|um /kwɔː rəm/ N‑SING A quorum is the minimum number of people that a committee needs in order to carry out its business officially. When a meeting has a quorum, there are at least that number of people present. □ …enough deputies to make a quorum.

quo|ta /kwoʊ tə/ (quotas )

1 N‑COUNT A quota is the limited number or quantity of something which is officially allowed. □ [+ of ] The quota of four tickets per person had been reduced to two.

2 N‑COUNT [N n] A quota is a fixed maximum or minimum proportion of people from a particular group who are allowed to do something, such as come and live in a country or work for the government. □ The bill would force employers to adopt a quota system when recruiting workers. [Also + of ]

3 N‑COUNT Someone's quota of something is their expected or deserved share of it. □ [+ of ] They have the usual quota of human weaknesses, no doubt.

quot|able /kwoʊ təb ^ə l/ ADJ Quotable comments are written or spoken comments that people think are interesting and worth quoting. □ …one of his more quotable sayings.

quo|ta|tion /kwoʊte I ʃ ^ə n/ (quotations )

1 N‑COUNT A quotation is a sentence or phrase taken from a book, poem, or play, which is repeated by someone else. □ [+ from ] He illustrated his argument with quotations from Pasternak.

2 N‑COUNT When someone gives you a quotation , they tell you how much they will charge to do a particular piece of work. □ Get several written quotations and check exactly what's included in the cost.

3 N‑COUNT A company's quotation on the stock exchange is its registration on the stock exchange, which enables its shares to be officially listed and traded. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ on ] …an investment manager with a quotation on the London stock market.

quo|ta |tion mark (quotation marks ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Quotation marks are punctuation marks that are used in writing to show where speech or a quotation begins and ends. They are usually written or printed as "…" or, in Britain, '…' .

quote ◆◆◇ /kwoʊ t/ (quotes , quoting , quoted )

1 VERB If you quote someone as saying something, you repeat what they have written or said. □ [V n + as ] He quoted Mr Polay as saying that peace negotiations were already underway. □ [V n] She quoted a great line from a book by Romain Gary. □ [V + from ] I gave the letter to our local press and they quoted from it.

2 N‑COUNT A quote from a book, poem, play, or speech is a passage or phrase from it. □ [+ from ] The article starts with a quote from an unnamed member of the Cabinet.

3 VERB If you quote something such as a law or a fact, you state it because it supports what you are saying. □ [V n] Mr Meacher quoted statistics saying that the standard of living of the poorest people had fallen.

4 VERB If someone quotes a price for doing something, they say how much money they would charge you for a service they are offering or a for a job that you want them to do. □ [V n n] A travel agent quoted her £160 for the flight. □ [V n] He quoted a price for the repairs.

5 N‑COUNT A quote for a piece of work is the price that someone says they will charge you to do the work. □ [+ for ] Always get a written quote for any repairs needed.

6 V-PASSIVE If a company's shares, a substance, or a currency is quoted at a particular price, that is its current market price. [BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed + at ] In early trading, gold was quoted at $368.20 an ounce. □ [be V -ed + on ] Heron is a private company and is not quoted on the Stock Market.

7 N‑PLURAL Quotes are the same as quotation marks . [INFORMAL ] □ The word 'remembered' is in quotes.

8 CONVENTION You can say ' quote ' to show that you are about to quote someone's words. [SPOKEN ] □ He predicts they will have, quote, 'an awful lot of explaining to do'. COLLOCATIONS quote NOUN

2

adjective + quote : famous, favourite, inspirational, memorable; direct; scandalous

5

noun + quote : insurance, price, renewal

adjective + quote : written; cheap, competitive, free VERB 1

noun + quote : newspaper, report

quote + noun : official, source

quote + adverb : anonymously, approvingly; extensively, frequently, publicly, widely; accurately, directly, verbatim SYNONYMS quote VERB 1

repeat: I trust you not to repeat that to anyone else.

recite: They recited poetry to one another.

reproduce: I shall not try to reproduce the policemen's English.

cite: She cites a favourite poem by George Herbert. NOUN 2

quotation: He illustrated his argument with quotations from Pasternak.

excerpt: …an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

extract: Read this extract from an information booklet about the work of an airline cabin crew.

citation: The article included several citations from government documents.

quoth /kwoʊ θ/ VERB Quoth means 'said'. Quoth comes before the subject of the verb. [HUMOROUS or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V with quote] 'I blame the selectors,' quoth he.

quo|tid|ian /kwoʊt I diən/ ADJ [ADJ n] Quotidian activities or experiences are basic, everyday activities or experiences. [FORMAL ] □ …the minutiae of their quotidian existence.

quo|tient /kwoʊ ʃ ^ə nt/ (quotients )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu n N ] Quotient is used when indicating the presence or degree of a characteristic in someone or something. □ Being rich doesn't actually increase your happiness quotient. □ [+ of ] The island has a high quotient of clergymen.

2 intelligence quotient → see IQ

Quran /kɔːrɑː n/ also Koran , Qur'an N‑PROPER The Quran is the holy book on which the religion of Islam is based.

Quran|ic /kɔːræ n I k/ also Koranic , Qur'anic ADJ [ADJ n] Quranic is used to describe something which belongs or relates to the Quran.

QWER|TY /kwɜː ^r ti/ also Qwerty , qwerty ADJ [ADJ n] A QWERTY keyboard on a typewriter or computer is the standard English language keyboard, on which the top line of keys begins with the letters q, w, e, r, t, and y.