Querk

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Quirk \Quirk\ (kw[~e]rk), n. [Written also {querk}.] [Cf. W.
     chwiori to turn briskly, or E. queer.]
     1. A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence,
        an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as,
        the quirks of a pettifogger. "Some quirk or . . .
        evasion." --Spenser.


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              We ground the justification of our nonconformity on
              dark subtilties and intricate quirks. --Barrow.
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     2. A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice. [Obs.] "Quirks
        of joy and grief." --Shak.
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     3. A smart retort; a quibble; a shallow conceit.
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              Some odd quirks and remnants of wit.  --Shak.
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     4. An irregular air; as, light quirks of music. --Pope.
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     5. (Building) A piece of ground taken out of any regular
        ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.;
        -- sometimes written quink. --Gwilt.
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     6. (Arch.) A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to
        its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex
        rounded molding.
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     {Quirk molding}, a bead between two quirks.
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