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单词 q
释义

Qn.

Brit. /kjuː/, U.S. /kju/
Forms: Q (capital), q (lower-case).
Etymology: Letter form. The seventeenth letter of the modern English alphabet and the sixteenth of the ancient Roman alphabet was in the latter an adoption of the Ϟ (κόππα , koppa ) of some of the early Greek alphabets. The Phoenician letter from which this was derived had the forms ?, ?, ?, and was used as the sign for the voiceless uvular stop (corresponding to Hebrew ק, Arabic ﻕ). Though this sound had no real equivalent in Greek, Ϟ is found in early inscriptions, e.g. as the initial letter of Κόρινθος Corinth, but was not accepted as a letter of the Attic alphabet, being retained only as a numerical symbol for the number ninety. In Latin, however, Q was regularly employed, in combination with V , in representing the double sound /kw/ which arose partly from the labiovelar, as in quis , quattuor , and partly from a palatal k followed by the labial semivowel, as in equus . Such spellings have largely been retained in the modern Romance languages, even when (as in modern French) the consonant cluster has generally been simplified to /k/. Letter name. Latin (probably c200 a.d. in classical Latin, though explicit evidence is lacking). quu is found in early Middle English. The modern English pronunciation /kjuː/ probably reflects derivation of the letter name immediately < French. Sound, and distribution within English. The consonant cluster /kw/ occurs frequently in Old English words of Germanic descent. In early writings in Old English (for example in the earliest glosses and occasionally in the Rushworth gospels) it is sometimes represented by qu (as an adoption from Latin orthography), but the normal representation in Old English orthography is cw (i.e. with the Old English letter wynn (see W n.); in early use also cu , occasionally cuu ). After the Norman Conquest, the spelling qu for /kw/ again begins to be found, although at first somewhat sporadically. (In some manuscripts it is particularly frequent in words of French origin, but this is not invariably the case.) By the end of the 13th cent. qu (with u frequently indicated by an abbreviation) is the usual spelling (also, although extremely rare before 1300, qv or qw ), and cw ceases to be found (although ku and kw are found in some manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries). In early Middle English qu also occurs very occasionally for /w/ and /k/. In later Middle English qu , qw , qwh (and in Scots also quh ) are found also for the reflex of Old English hw in texts from the north, north midlands, and east of England and from Scotland (for maps see A. McIntosh, M. L. Samuels, & M. Benskin A Linguistic Atlas of Late Mediaeval English III. (1986) 372–3). For evidence of such spellings in early Middle English in place names from northern English counties from the end of the 12th cent. onwards see H. Orton Phonology of a South Durham Dialect (1933) §304. Such spellings remain characteristic of Scots throughout the Older Scots period. (For an extended contemporary defence of such spellings see A. Hume Of Orthogr. Britan Tongue (c1620) 18.) Conversely, spellings with wh or w (or sometimes qwh , quh ) are found in words with initial /kw/ (of Germanic or Romance origin) from the latter part of the Middle English period onwards; in early use they may sometimes show inverse spellings, but cases of alliteration of such forms with words with the reflex of Old English hw in Middle English alliterative verse argue otherwise, as does the later evidence from regional sources. Compare especially the forms listed at quaint adj., queem adj., quey n., quick n.2 For discussion of the occurrence of /hw/ or /w/ in such words in some modern northern English dialects (and for examples also of wh apparently for cw in place names from the 13th cent. onwards) see H. Orton Phonology of a South Durham Dialect (1933) §§262–7. In Old French /kw/ and /kw/ were generally simplified to /k/ in the 11th or 12th cent., but were preserved longer in Anglo-Norman, as is reflected in many loanwords in Middle English. In some words of French origin, qu varies with c in Middle English and early modern English. There is considerable variation before the diphthongs oi or ui and their reflexes: see e.g. the forms listed at coif n., coil v.3, coin n., coyn n., quoit n., cuirass n., cuir-bouilli n., cuisse n., cushion n., custron n., quinyie n., and quaint adj. More rarely que appears as a variant for initial co or cu in words of (likely) French origin: compare e.g. forms at conjure v., conquest n., coral n.1, curch n., congeon n.; perhaps compare French regional forms with kem or quem for etymological com . Occasionally quo is found for co (in words not of Romance origin): compare forms at cod n.1, core n.1, coy n.1; compare also coddle v.1, coss v., cote v.1, and perhaps cudgel n. For developments of cu compare queest n., cunster n., quern n.2, quirl n., and quid n.3 Compare also quitch n.3 Q occurs without following u in a small number of loanwords, and particularly in loans from Arabic (and other languages using the Arabic alphabet) and Hebrew, transliterating Arabic qāf and Hebrew qōp, which etymologically represent a voiceless uvular stop; compare e.g. qabbala , variant of Cabbala n., Qaraite , variant of Karaite n., Qoran , beside more usual Qur'an , Quran (see Qur'an n.), and also qasida n., qawwal n., Qatari n., etc. Following scholarly practice, this convention has become increasingly standard since the mid 20th cent., where formerly the letter K was normally used. Q is also used in a few Inuit loanwords to represent the uvular stop. Q also increasingly occurs in loanwords from Chinese representing the aspirated voiceless alveolo-palatal affricate /tɕ'/, following Pinyin practice and replacing CH (compare Wade-Giles ch' ); compare e.g. qigong n., Qing n., qipao n., etc.
I. The letter Q (q).
1.
a. The letter, and the sound it represents.
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society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > English coins > [noun] > farthing
farthingc950
ferlingc1000
quadransOE
quarter1389
quadrantc1450
quatrinc1470
Q1530
quadrine1557
rag1592
qua1631
grig1657
Jack?c1690
fadge1789
daddler1900
OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 6 Þas [consonantes] ongynnað of him sylfum and geendiað of ðam clypiendlicum stafum:..h and k geendiað on a æfter rihte; q geendað on u.
c1175 Names of Letters in N. R. Ker Catal. MSS containing Anglo-Saxon (1957) 337 L l el, M m em, N n en, O o, Q quu, R r er, S s es, T te, [etc.].
a1425 MS Titus D.xvii f. 8v, in Middle Eng. Dict. (at cited word) Alphabetum Anglicum..p, pe; q, cu; r, er.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 9 Whan v followeth q in a frenche worde..than shall u be left unsounded.
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie xviii. 129 We vse not, q, in the end, but still in the beginning of a syllab.
a1637 B. Jonson Eng. Gram. i. iv, in Wks. (1640) III The English-Saxons knew not this halting Q. with her waiting-woman u. after her.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Many Grammarians, in imitation of the Greeks, banish the Q as a superfluous Letter.
1797 Encycl. Brit. 724/2 The q is never sounded alone, but in conjunction with u..and never ends any English word.
1834 N. Amer. Rev. Apr. 388 We have a suspicion, that the word cue..is only the name of the letter Q.
1872 R. Morris Hist. Outl. Eng. Accidence 61 From this table of consonants we have omitted..q, because this is equivalent to kw.
1958 L. C. Hector Handwriting Eng. Documents 32 The marks associated with the letters p and q are worthy of special attention.
1986 A. Cashdan Literacy (BNC) 39 Letters regularly occur in certain combinations and positions with, for example, the letter Q always being followed by U.
2004 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 10 Nov. a24/1 [When playing Scrabble] we use qat (a herbal stimulant), tranq (tranquilize), and qaid (Muslim leader) to unload the burdensome but valuable Q (10 points) when its partner, the U, is nowhere in sight.
b. attributive. Designating or relating to the group of Celtic languages in which Indo-European *qu is retained (see Q-Celtic adj. and n.).
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the mind > language > languages of the world > Indo-Hittite > [noun] > Indo-European > Celtic > Goidelic
Gaelic1781
Goidelic1877
Q1891
Q-Celtic1919
1891 J. Rhys in Trans. Philol. Soc. 1891–4 104 (title) The Celts and the other Aryans of the P and Q groups.
1913 J. M. Jones Welsh Gram. 1 Keltic: (a) the Q division, consisting of dialects in Gaul and Spain, and the Goidelic group, comprising Irish, Scotch Gaelic and Manx; (b) the P division, consisting of Gaulish, and the British group, comprising Welsh, Cornish and Breton.
1988 H. R. Ellis Davidson Myths & Symbols Pagan Europe Introd. 4 The Q form of Celtic is the earlier, and Celts from Ireland evidently carried this into Scotland and Man.
2003 J. McKillop Dict. Celtic Mythol. 320/1 The division of Celtic languages into Q- and P-families depends on whether they retained the Indo-European qu- or substituted a p-.
2. As a distinguishing letter, usually as part of an alphabetical sequence, used to denote serial order, as part Q, section Q, etc., or as a symbol of some thing or person in a series, some point or line in a diagram, etc.
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1421 in J. G. Edwards et al. Hist. Ess. in Honour of J. Tait (1933) 211 Inventarium librorum..M..N..O..P..Q [etc.].]
1483 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 295 (MED) Capitulum 16m Q. Q ante V.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. xi. f. 343 Extend (by the second petition) the lines DR and WV, vntill they concurre, and let them concurre in the point Q.
1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation i. 151/2 First from the point p, mark the point q in the Aequinoctial Line for the Hour 8.
1697 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 19 630 How shall the Surveyor then judge of the Line P Q but by its bearing?
1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision §31. 31 At O it shou'd..seem nearer than it did at B, and at P nearer than at O, and at Q nearer than at P.
1794 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 84 13 The point Q is placed exactly under the centre of the screw A.
1860 Sci. Amer. 23 June 410/2 In combination with the stave-dressing machine, N, I claim the rocking plane, Q..for the purposes described.
1873 G. Salmon Treat. Higher Plane Curves (ed. 2) ix. 351 To any point P, then, on the Steinerian corresponds a point Q on the Hessian.
1939 Proc. Royal Soc. 1938–9 A. 169 577 The apparatus..consisted of a uniform pyrex glass tube..divided into three equal sections P, Q and R.
1948 R. T. Beyer tr. F. A. Willers Pract. Anal. iv. 206 What ratio must the external diameter 2R have to the bore width in order that the cross section Q be a minimum?
1960 Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 96 477 We make here the further hypothesis that the parts q and r together include all of u.
1981 M. A. Parker & F. Pickup Engin. Drawing (ed. 3) iv. 108 Mark off on the bending lines the appropriate true lengths to fix M, P, S, R and Q on the cut-out.
2002 Jrnl. Parasitol. 88 160 Four groups of birds, designated P, Q, R, S, were each orally innoculated... P group oocysts were treated with ozone for 15 min, Q group for 30 min, [etc.].
3. Q in the corner n. now rare a person who or thing which sits in the corner, one who is unnoticed or unimportant; also as a (self-mocking or self-effacing) pseudonym. [Of unknown origin; in quot. 1782 perhaps with punning reference to the game of ‘puss in the corner’ (Puss in the (also a) corner n. at puss n.1 5). See also discussion in Notes & Queries 42 (1995) 71–72.]
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1711 Curate of Dorset's Answer to Curate of Salop's Expos. 1 (heading) A dialogue between Great Q. of Salop, and Little q. in the corner of Dorsetshire.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia I. i. iii. 41 I will either hide or seek with any boy in the Parish; and for a Q in the corner, there is none more celebrated.
1798 J. O'Keeffe Toy iii. i, in Dramatic Wks III. 61 You may sign yourself ‘Unknown Friend’, or, ‘Q in the corner’.
1813 Stranger (N.Y.) 23 Oct. 136 in Notes & Queries 10th Ser. 9 401/1 I once more spied my favourite chair, where I sat like Q, in a corner.
1817 ‘Q. in the Corner’ Ep. from Bath 35 One exclaimed..‘Who is Q. in the corner? I'm dying to know.’
1849 Times 21 Apr. 5/6 In the small omnibuses now coming into use, the unfortunate persons who are obliged to take the corner seats, have but six or seven inches in a straight line,..and the person who comes in last and takes the middle seat is obliged to sit upon the knees of the two Q's in the corner.
4. Skating. In full Q-figure. Used allusively with reference to the shape of the letter.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > figure-skating > figure > specific figure or movement
spread eagle1823
Q1852
grapevine1868
loop1869
rocking turn1869
Mohawk1880
vine1891
bracket1892
Choctaw1892
counter1892
rocker1892
scud1892
three1895
toe-spin1921
death spiral1933
1852 G. Anderson Art Skating vi. 73 The Q Figure. Start with a curve on the outside forwards, then change the edge to inside forwards, and finish with a circle outside backwards, all on the one foot, without setting down the other.
1869 H. E. Vandervell Syst. Figure-skating x. 192 Let a curve of inside forwards be described, and, when some distance has been traversed, a change of edge is effected..on which Turn C is made, and the resulting curve of inside backwards continued until the circle or body of the Q is complete.
1930 Times 10 Feb. 15/5 He would not..cry..‘Hm! 'customed to ponds and such-like,’ while gazing at the execution of a reverse Q.
1935 Encycl. Sports, Games & Pastimes 559/2 A difficult but beautiful figure called the Q... The figure bears a pretty distinct resemblance to the letter.
1952 E. Jones Figure Skating (rev. ed.) xiv. 263 What is known in England as the 'Q' waltz is a variation of the double Change-of-Edge mentioned above.
5. U.S. Military slang. Used collectively to denote soldiers who have been disgraced or punished, or the place in which they are imprisoned, esp. the guardhouse (see quot. 1930). Usually in Q Company (also Company Q), Q Battery, etc. Now historical.
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society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > prison > [noun] > military > guardroom or punishment cell
black hole1727
wardroom1853
Q1883
1883 Harper's Mag. Sept. 644/2 Said an inquirer: ‘Mrs. Mulgarven, Jim seems to be forging ahead; what is his rank now?’ He was in fact a Company ‘Q’ man—negroes and the guard-house.
a1908 S. E. Chamberlain My Confession (1996) 115/1 Corp. Cory came and confined me in the Guard House... Thus were all my dreams of ambition and glory vanished in the snug quarters of Co. ‘Q’.
a1908 S. E. Chamberlain My Confession (1996) 115/2 Again I was quartered in company Q.
1918 G. E. Griffin Ballads of Regiment 69 He'll soon be down in Comp'ny ‘Q’ and sleep nights in a cell.
1930 Our Army Mar. 28/1 Q-Battery, ‘Q’ is the artillery pet name for the guardhouse, for there is of course no battery with that letter in any regiment.
2001 J. D. Wright Lang. Civil War 68 Company Q, 1. The Confederate Army's name for soldiers on the sick list. Healthy soldiers often suspected Company Q of harboring malingers. 2. A detachment of disgraced officers of the 150th Pennsylvania Regiment.
6. Short for Q-boat n., Q-ship n. at Compounds.
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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > decoy-ship
decoy ship1915
mystery ship1916
Q-boat1918
Q-ship1918
Q1920
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Mar. 325/1 They had complied with the regulations that dictated that no uniform must be shown abroad sailing ‘Q's’.
7. Representing a shortened or clipped pronunciation of ‘thank you’; = kew int.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > [noun] > thanks > an instance or expression of
a thankc1400
gramercyc1485
God-a-mercy1549
gratitude1660
thank you1792
mahalo1891
Q1925
asante sana1996
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Sam the Sudden ii. 13 The conductor presented himself, punch in hand. ‘Fez, pliz.’ ‘Valley Fields,’ said Kay. ‘Q,’ said the conductor.
1956 J. Latimer Sinners & Shrouds xxiii. 181 ‘Son of a bitch!’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘I beg yours.’ ‘Q.’
8. attributive. U.S. Designating or (occasionally) requiring a level of security clearance for access to classified information relating to nuclear energy or weapons. Chiefly in Q clearance.
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1949 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 25 Sept. 4/5 To do even the simplest work on the ‘pile’ or atomic furnace..the men had to earn a ‘Q’ clearance from the FBI and the atomic energy commission.
1955 N.Y. Times 11 Mar. 12/1 (heading) A.E.C. clearance refused 1 in 1,000. Commission says ‘Q’ status has been denied to 494 of 503,810 investigated.
1977 Washington Post 24 June a25/1 ‘It's all Q material,’ one source said yesterday, referring to the traditional Q clearance required of anyone dealing with highly classified atomic weapons matters.
2002 K. D. Bergeron Tritium on Ice iv. 90 The underlying philosophy of the Q-clearance system is based on the understanding that keeping scientific information secret is much more difficult than protecting traditional national security information.
II. Symbolic uses (written without a following point).
9. Physics. [ < the initial letter of quantity.] (Usually italicized.) In mathematical expressions: electric charge; a charged particle.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric charge, electricity > [noun]
electricity1646
tension1785
Q1846
point charge1896
zap1979
1846 W. Thomson in Cambr. & Dublin Math. Jrnl. 1 91 Denoting by Q, Q′ the quantities of electricity constituting the charges before, and q, q′ after contact, we shall have [etc.].
1879 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 22/1 The law of electric force between two quantities q and q′ now becomes Force = qq/ d2.
1938 G. P. Harnwell Princ. Electr. & Electromagn. i. 11 F is the force in dynes exerted by the charge q1 on the charge q2.
1973 L. J. Tassie Physics Elem. Particles xix. 40 The antiparticle of a particle of charge Q and baryon number B, has charge −Q and baryon number −B.
1995 D. M. P. Mingos Essent. Inorg. Chem. 1 (1997) 24 For a +ve charge +q and −ve charge −q separated by a distance r the dipole moment, μ = qr , i.e. it is a vector quantity.
10. Theology. [Probably < the initial letter of German Quelle Quelle n., apparently after use in P. Wernle Die synoptische Frage (1899); the assertion in quot. 1935 is apparently incorrect.] The hypothetical source of the passages shared by the gospels of Matthew and Luke, but not found in Mark.
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society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > Testament > New Testament > Gospel > [noun] > source of
Q1901
1901 J. Moffatt Hist. New Test. 266 It is still hotly disputed..whether Matthew had access to any sources besides Q and Mark.
1920 Jrnl. Theol. Stud. 21 286 ‘Real Aramaism may be allowed ungrudgingly in those parts of the New Testament which are virtually translated from Aramaic oral or written sources’, i.e. Mark and Q.
1935 R. H. Lightfoot Hist. & Interpr. in Gospels ii. 27 Dr. Armitage Robinson..maintained..that he himself was the first to use the symbol... In the 'nineties of the last century, he was in the habit..of alluding to St. Mark's gospel as P (reminiscences of St. Peter), and to the presumed sayings-document as Q, simply because Q was the next letter after P in the alphabet.
1965 ‘J. H. Roberts’ Q Document i. 33 The Q document is a hypothetical document invented by German biblical historians in the 1800s to explain a gap in our knowledge of the early Christian Era... They called this document the quelle or ‘source’ document. Later this was shortened to ‘Q’.
1978 F. Neirynck in Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 54 123 It seems to be a fair conclusion that he [sc. J. Weiss] substituted Q (= Quelle) for Λ (= Λόγια).
1992 CBD Academic Catal. Spring–Summer 9/1 This beautifully designed volume displays side by side the pericopes from Matthew and Luke which derive from Q.
11. Electronics and Physics. The ratio of the reactance of an inductor or capacitor to its electrical resistance. More widely: a parameter of an oscillatory system or device representing the degree to which it is undamped, and hence expressing the relationship between stored energy and energy dissipation. Also Q factor.In the wider use often defined as equal to 2π times the ratio of the mean total energy of the system to the energy that must be supplied each cycle to sustain the oscillations. Q-meter n. an instrument for measuring the Q of a component. [On the origin of this use see B. Jeffreys A footnote to ‘a Q-rious tale’ in Q. Jrnl. Royal Astron. Soc. (1986) 27 693] .
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > resistance > [noun] > reactance > ratio
quality factor1899
Q1925
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > resistance > [noun] > reactance > ratio > instrument measuring
Q-meter1943
1925 K. S. Johnson Transmission Circuits for Teleph. Communication App. 314 Q... Coil dissipation constant, or the ratio of the reactance of a coil to its effective resistance.
1938 Admiralty Handbk. Wireless Telegr. II. §F 19 Good coils often have a Q of the order of 100.
1943 F. E. Terman Radio Engineers' Handbk. xiii. 916 Q meters are frequently used to measure reactance and resistance (or conductance) of choke coils, dielectrics, etc.
1965 Wireless World July 338/1 A technique..which had resulted in inductors with good Q factors of 50 to 80.
1975 D. G. Fink Electronics Engineers' Handbk. xi. 13 By lowering the Q of the optical cavity, the laser cannot oscillate.
1991 G. H. Tomlinson Electr. Networks & Filters 26 The condition Q = 0.5 is the critically damped condition and the response is seen to be non-oscillatory.
12. Psychology. In factor analysis: correlation between persons who have undergone a method of personality testing in which each subject is required to rate in order those personality traits that seem most applicable to himself or herself. Usually attributive, esp. in Q methodology, Q-sort, Q-technique. Cf. R n. 11.
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the mind > mental capacity > psychology > developmental psychology > acquisition of knowledge > test of mental ability > factor analysis > [noun] > used to obtain correlations
Q1935
1935 G. H. Thomson in Brit. Jrnl. Psychol. July 75 Then we have YY = Q..where Q is a p-square matrix of q-correlations, each correlation being between two persons, not between two tests.
1936 W. Stephenson in Brit. Jrnl. Psychol. Apr. 345 Following Prof. G. H. Thomson's suggestion, I shall use Q as the sign for correlations between persons, so distinguishing them from correlations such as r12 between two tests.
1952 R. B. Cattell Factor Anal. vii. 93 He [sc. Stephenson] has particularly urged a method in which each subject writes down a set of traits or questionnaire-like statements about himself in order of their significance for his own personality (Q-sort).
1972 Jrnl. Social Psychol. 88 84 The Q-sort variant known as the own-categories technique was used.
2001 Higher Educ. 42 209 Q methodology employs a form of multivariate analysis that is designed to identify the systematically different ways in which people respond to propositional statements.
13. Physics. A unit of energy equal to 1018 British thermal units (very nearly 1021 joules).
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > [noun] > unit of heat > of specific amount
kilocalorie1894
gram calorie1902
Q1952
kcal.1954
1952 Resources for Freedom (President's Materials Policy Commission, U.S.) IV. xv. 213/1 In the first 18½ centuries of this era, the total input to the energy system of the world was about 6Q, equivalent to some 225 billion short tons of bituminous coal. [Note]1·0Q = 1·0 × 1018 B.t.u.
1978 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 126 605/2 The earth and its atmosphere intercepts some 5200 Q of solar energy each year, one Q representing one million, million, million British Thermal Units.
1997 M. J. Daley Nucl. Power iii. 28 In the United States, we use about 88 Q per year.
14. [Perhaps < the initial letter of quotient.] North American. Marketing. A measurement of the popularity of a public figure, television programme, etc., based on survey data recording whether respondents are familiar with, and have a favourable opinion of, the subject under consideration. Frequently attributive, esp. in Q rating.
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1958 Printers’ Ink 21 Nov. 46/3 A good program can produce a good Q-rating..even though 95 per cent of the audience is still unfamiliar with the show… Pork & Beans gets a familiarity rating of 66—and a Q-rating of 30.
1975 Chicago Tribune 29 May iii. 12/1 Some performers with low Qs..don't produce ‘likable’ reactions because they aren't supposed to.
1978 Newsweek (Nexis) 16 Jan. 82 The problem with Q-scores is that people are graded on the basis of how well they come over. It has nothing to do with their journalistic expertise.
1996 Brandweek 19 Aug. 17/1 Marketers..might be in for a shock when they read Marketing Evaluations' latest character Qs.
2004 N.Y. Mag. 3 May 26/2 His low Q rating notwithstanding, he's the would-be mayor with the best shot at beating Bloomberg.
III. Simple abbreviations.
15. Of Latin words.
a. Obsolete. [ < post-classical Latin q (see quot. 1222), graphic abbreviation of classical Latin quadrāns quarter of an as (see quadrant n.1).] In form q. In accounts, etc.: ‘a farthing, farthings’ (see cue n.1 2).In early use also (quot. 1440): half a farthing, a mite.
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1222 in N. Neilson Customary Rents (1910) 58 (MED) Summa de parkselver per annum de operariis ix d. ob. q.]
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 106 Cu, halfe a farthynge, or q: calcus, minutum.
1442–3 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) I. 389 (MED) Watkyn Wynwick for ij cast of brede and vij galons Ale at j d. ob. q.
1459 in J. T. Gilbert Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 302 (MED) An howes..berryt yerly to the longabyll, i d. ob. q.
1543 R. Record Ground of Artes Figures of Monye q̃ a farthing, ye .iiii. part of .i. penny.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 240 Worth 1412l. 4s. 7d. ob. q.
1710 London Gaz. No. 4706/2 The Ballance..amounting to 71019l. 1s. 5d. 2q. has been..credited to the Publick.
1734 J. Vanderlint Money answers All Things 75 Threads, Needles, Pins, Worsteads, Tapes, &c. for repairing Cloaths, &c. 1/ 2 q.; 3/ 4 d.; 5 1/ 4 d.
b. Obsolete. [ < the initial letter of classical Latin quasi quasi adv.] In form q. In dictionaries, etc.: = quasi adv. 2 ‘as if’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > other schools of linguistics > [adverb] > etymology > introducing etymological explanation
quasi1568
Q1658
qu.1676
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Alfreton q. Alfred's Town.
1677 E. Coles Eng. Dict. (new ed.) Q. quasi, as if it were.
1724 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (ed. 2) Q., is often an Abreviation of Question. Also of Quasi, L. as if, though.
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Q as a contraction stands for the Lat. quod which, quasi, as if, quantum, a quantity, and Quintus a man's name.
c. [ < classical Latin q, graphic abbreviation of quīngentī five hundred (see quingentenary adj. and n.).] In form Q. Five hundred. Obsolete. rare.
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1902 N.E.D. (at cited word) Q, = 500.
16. Of English words.
a. Scottish. [a graphic abbreviation (in manuscripts in fact a modified form of the letter q, also used as graphic abbreviation for Latin quod: see Dict. Older Sc. Tongue at quod).] In form q. = quod quoth v. Obsolete.
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c1480 (a1400) St. Vincent 265 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 266 Q[uod] vincent [etc.].
1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 265 Lo quhair my lyking liggis q thay.
a1586 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1927) II. 41/25 Q Dumbar.
b. In form Q. Queen (now esp. in Chess and Cards).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > picture-card > queen
Q1572
queen1575
lady1900
1572 J. Leslie (title) A treatise of treasons against Q. Elizabeth.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 214 The Q. Mother..caused the King her Husbands Natiuitie to be Calculated.
1787 T. Jefferson Notes Virginia 321 Surrender from the proprietors of E. and W. N. Jersey of their pretended right of government to her majesty Q. Anne.
1894 D.N.B. at Owen, Lewis Latter end of Q. Elizabeth.
1922 Brit. Chess Mag. Feb. 105/2 The net result of the two moves is to create a hole at White's Q Kt 4.
1977 Time Out 28 Jan. 15/1 And of course some reflections on HM the Q herself.
1991 in D. Parry Bridge Player's Dict. 53 A suit holding of A K Q J.
c. In form Q. or q. Question (cf. Q and A n. at Initialisms 2).
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > act or instance of
askOE
askingOE
questionc1350
demandc1386
inquestc1400
interrogationc1405
inquisitionc1440
questioninga1450
inquirea1500
manda1500
terogatores1511
interrogatory1533
inquiry1548
interrogator1561
interrogativea1586
quaere1589
intergatory1590
A1591
Q1591
query1610
interrogate1633
starter1673
querical1699
speer1788
qy.1819
Q1902
1591 W. Burton Certaine Questions & Answeres f. 2 Q. How is God to be considered? A. Two waies. Either as he is in himself, or as he is vnto vs.
1791 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) VIII. 309 Q. 25. What is the office of a Helper? A. In the absence of a Minister, to feed and guide the flock.
1859 Catechism Christian Doctr. 18 Q. How many kinds of sin are there? A. Two; original and actual.
1988 Sunday Mail Mag. (Brisbane) 14 Aug. 17 June's the time for a connubial coup! So nail him with ‘Yes’ when he pops the big Q!
2001 J. Franzen Corrections 320 Good Q, Enid, but guess what: it's wonderfully legal... Excellent question, though. Really ace Q.
d. [probably < the letter q in squall n.3 (s being already used for snow)] In form q (without point). Esp. in a ship's log: squalls.
ΚΠ
1856 T. B. Butler Philos. Weather vii. 140 b. indicates blue sky—c. detached clouds—r. rain—v. visibility of objects—q. squalls—w. wet dew—u. ugly threatening appearance—g. gloomy weather.
1902 N.E.D. at Q. q, = squalls.
1934 A. H. R. Goldie Abercromby's Weather (rev. ed.) ii. 13 (table) q squalls.
2005 P. H. Spectre Mariner's Misc. 89 Simple code for recording the state of the weather in a vessel's log..q—squalls.
e. In form Q (without point). Quarto (quarto n. 2).Used esp. with reference to early editions of Shakespeare's plays, many of which first appeared in quarto; frequently with number specifying the edition, as Q1, Q2, etc.
ΘΠ
society > communication > book > kind of book > size of book > [noun] > quarto volume
quarto1642
Q1863
in-quarto1865
four1888
1863 W. G. Clark & J. Glover Wks. Shakespeare I. 163 Besides the copies of the Merry Wives of Windsor appearing in the folios and modern editions, a quarto, Q3, has been collated in these Notes.
1871 H. H. Furness in New Variorum Ed. Shakespeare I. p. ix I have very seldom noted the variæ lectiones of the First Quarto... When referred to in the textual notes it is designated as (Q1).
1936 Times Lit. Suppl. 23 May 440/2 The stage directions of the stolen Q1 and of the authoritative Q2 were not contradictory.
1996 New Straits Times (Malaysia) (Nexis) 24 Jan. 8 Weiner lays out in three columns a comparison of stage directions in the Bad Quarto (Q1), Good Quarto (Q2), and Folio.
f. In form Q. or q. Query.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [noun] > act or instance of
askOE
askingOE
questionc1350
demandc1386
inquestc1400
interrogationc1405
inquisitionc1440
questioninga1450
inquirea1500
manda1500
terogatores1511
interrogatory1533
inquiry1548
interrogator1561
interrogativea1586
quaere1589
intergatory1590
A1591
Q1591
query1610
interrogate1633
starter1673
querical1699
speer1788
qy.1819
Q1902
1902 N.E.D. (at cited word) Q, q, = query, question.
1945 G. S. Earlie Current Abbrev. 165 qu., Q., q., Qu., Qy. or qy., query.
1992 Oxf. Dict. Abbrev. 297/1 Q...query..hence camouflaged or disguised, as in Q-boat (or Q-ship), Q car.
g. British. Military. In form Q (without point). = quartermaster n., quartermaster general n., or quartermaster sergeant n. at quartermaster n. Compounds; (hence, in elliptical use) the quartermaster's or quartermaster-general's department. Frequently attributive, as Q branch, Q store, etc. Now chiefly historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > branch of army > [noun] > administration and supply branches
baggage1603
field train1692
Corps of Wagoners1802
wagon-corps1810
subsistence department1820
baggage-train1841
rear echelon1852
Control Department1867
Army Service Corps1869
A.S.C.1871
pay corps1876
Q1916
echelon1922
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer according to function > [noun] > quartermaster
quartermaster1590
fourrier1678
Q.M.1791
quartermaster captain1846
Q1916
quarter1917
quarter-bloke1918
quarter jack1930
1916 G. Frankau Poet. Wks. (1923) I. 223 And the Boche shells; and ‘Q.’ still issues bromo.
1918 Punch 2 Jan. 15/2 Military experts will tell you that this is a ‘Q.’ war, meaning thereby that the Quartermaster-General's department is the one which matters.
1919 W. S. Churchill in M. Gilbert Winston S. Churchill (1977) IV. Compan. i. 456 Another inroad on ‘Q’ should it seems to me be made by transferring all discipline to the Adjutant General.
1942 W. S. Churchill Second World War (1951) IV. i. xx. 311 The arrangements for bringing off the wounded would alone open up a vista of Q problems.
1990 A. Beevor Inside Brit. Army xxv. 303 The old term, Q or Q Branch, was a reference to the Quartermaster General's empire.
2002 P. Anderson When Scorpion Stings vi. 124 Immediately across the road from the cavalry lines were the LAD workshop and the unit's Q store.
h. Business and Finance. In form Q (without point). With reference to the financial year, with qualifying number: quarter (cf. quarter n. 2b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > year > [noun] > half or quarter year
quarter1389
raitha1400
Q1976
half-year-
1976 D. W. Moffat Econ. Dict. 229/1 Quarter,... Some ways to indicate April through June of 1980 are: 1980 (2); 1980 (II); 1980-2Q; 1980-Q2.
1998 Esquire Oct. 99/2 1972's fourth-quarter yield of 2.76 preceded the ugly bear market of 1973-74; 1987's Q3 was at 2.76 before the market's worst-ever percentage drop, in October of that year.
2006 Scotsman (Nexis) 12 Jan. 32 The oil group said overall oil production for Q4 is expected to have been 4.01 billion barrels of oil equivalent per day.
17. In form Q. A substitution in speech and text for various names (forename or surname).
Π
1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xxi. F. xxxviiv P. Q. holdeth a cotage of the lorde at his wyll.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. ii. 14 To quell him comes Q. R. who limping frets At the safe passe of trixie Crackarets.
1709 Brit. Apollo 25–27 May Q. D. and T. play at single handed whisk.
1834 Sun (N.Y.) 10 Apr. 2/2 Such men as Samuel Q. Wright.
1904 N.Z. Observer 24 Sept. 22 Q.S. and A.S. looked quite at home smooging on the bridge.
2003 Nation (N.Y.) 18 Aug. 25/1 Social theories developed by criminologists such as James Q. Wilson.

Compounds

Q-boat n. (also Q boat) [probably arbitrary (or perhaps < the initial letter of query), probably after slightly earlier use of P-boat for a patrol boat (perhaps compare also U-boat n.)] now historical an armed and camouflaged merchant vessel used as a decoy or to destroy submarines (chiefly in the First World War (1914–18)); cf. mystery ship n. at mystery n.1 Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > decoy-ship
decoy ship1915
mystery ship1916
Q-boat1918
Q-ship1918
Q1920
1918 Army & Navy Gaz. 10 Aug. 501/1 Among the anti-submarine measures initiated and encouraged by Mr. Churchill and Lord Fisher were the ‘Q’ boats, the mystery attaching to which has now been dispelled by Sir Eric Geddes... The ‘Q’ boat may be briefly defined as a decoy.
1919 Boy's Own Paper July 457/1 These Q-boats were apparently innocent tramps and trawlers.
1976 R. Moore Dubai iv. 51 We're talking about making your dhow into a high-speed Q-boat.
2003 W. J. Mills Exploring Polar Frontiers I. 139/2 Charcot resumed his Arctic voyages after World War I, during which he had commanded two Q-boats hunting German submarines on behalf of the British navy.
Q car n. (also Q. car, Q-car) [after Q-boat n.] British and Australian a disguised police car.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > police car > disguised
Q car1933
1933 Times 27 Dec. 7/7 He was patrolling North London on December 23 in a police Q car with other officers.
1961 Guardian 29 Sept. 2/3 Three men jumped out of a badly-damaged car, which crashed into the side of a lorry..and in turn was rammed by a police ‘Q’ car.
1976 L. Henderson Major Enq. xiv. 88 She..doubled back..to the waiting Q car. The watch was being kept by Sheehan and Milton.
2006 Gold Coast Bull. (Austral.) (Nexis) 7 Sept. 26 Some Queensland roads are so dangerous police Q-cars collide head-on while attempting enforcement of breath-testing.
Q-ship n. (also Q. ship) now historical = Q-boat n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > decoy-ship
decoy ship1915
mystery ship1916
Q-boat1918
Q-ship1918
Q1920
1918 Times 5 Aug. 6/6 A mystery ship—a decoy,..one of the oldest ruses of war adapted to modern warfare. Such a vessel was known in both the British and American services as a Q. ship.
1919 Boy's Own Paper July 458/1 One of the finest examples of coolness, discipline, and good organisation in the history of Q-ships.
1972 J. Broome Convoy is to Scatter i. 25 The Q-ship's lure-power lay in her half-sunken appearance appealing to the U-boat captain for his coup-de-grâce.
2002 G. Williamson U-Boats of Kaiser's Navy 42 Only nine U-boats were lost during this period, three of which were sunk by Q-ships.

Initialisms

Many of the terms given here without points are also frequently used with points, and vice versa. Less commonly, variation between upper- and lower-case letters may occur where the initialism is not a proper name.
I1. From Latin words or phrases.
a.
q.d. adv. [ < post-classical Latin q. d. (1563 in the passage translated in quot. 1582) < the initial letters of classical Latin quasi dīcat as if one should say or post-classical Latin quasi dictum as if said (4th cent.) < classical Latin quasi quasi adv. + dīcat or dictum , 3rd singular present subjunctive and past participle neuter respectively of dīcere to say (see dictum n.)] now rare ‘as if said’; ‘as if one should say’.
ΚΠ
1582 R. Robinson tr. V. Strigel Pt. Harmony King Dauids Harp 113 I will geue thankes (sayth he) I will declare, I will be glad, I will reioyce, I will singe. Q. D. [L. q. d.] Hereby, not only the minde and tongue doe worship God, but also the other members doe shewe a token of thankefulnes.
1698 F. D. Pastorius New Primmer 17 q.d., as if he should say.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. at Gossip Of God, and Syb,..a Kinsman, q.d. Kindred in God.
a1897 T. E. Brown Coll. Poems (1900) 463 Expletive of delight: q.d., ‘Who ever saw such fun?’
1945 G. S. Earlie Current Abbrev. 164 q.d. (quasi dicat) (Lat.) as if he should say; (quasi dixisset) (Lat.) as if he had said.
q.e. adv. [ < the initial letters of classical Latin quod est that is to say < quod what (see what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n.) + est , 3rd singular present indicative of esse to be (see be v.)] ‘that is to say’.
Π
1839 W. S. Browning Hist. Huguenots 1598–1838 App. I. 409 The word Eignot, derived from the German, Eide-genossenq. e. federati.
1945 G. S. Earlie Current Abbrev. 164 q.e. (quod est) (Lat.) which is.
q.v. int. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quod vide which see (4th or 5th cent. in Augustine) < classical Latin quod what (see what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n.) + vide , 2nd singular present imperative of vidēre to see (see vision n.)] ‘which see’.
Π
1684 G. S. Anglorum Speculum ii. 62 Sir Jo. Cokeyn Knight..imparted his Surname to Cokeyn-Hatley in this County, tho he was born in Derbyshire. q. v.
1775 J. Moir Scholar's Vade Mecum Antesto, to stand before, excel, surpass. Potius Antisto. q. v.
a1862 H. D. Thoreau Cape Cod (1865) ix. 988 Somebody of Gloucester was to read a paper on this matter before a genealogical society..according to the Boston Journal, q.v.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. xix. 508 The Slow-Worm (Anguis fragilis) is a limbless lizard... It is sometimes miscalled blindworm (q.v.), but the eyes are well developed.
1993 Eng. Today Jan. 35/2 (Gloss.) Inboek, to register a child, adult or manumitted slave as an indentured servant apprenticed (q.v.) in the name of a particular master.
b. Chiefly Medicine. In the writing of prescriptions, etc. Chiefly as postmodifier.
q.d. adj. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quater in die four times a day (see q.i.d. adj. and adv.) or classical Latin quāque diē every day ( < quāque , ablative feminine of quisque each ( < quis , interrogative and indefinite pronoun (see quis pron.) + -que : see though adv., conj., and n.) + diē , ablative of diēs day: see diurnal adj.)] (a) = q.i.d. adj. and adv. (now disused); (b) ‘every day’.
ΚΠ
1900 G. M. Gould Pocket Med. Dict. (ed. 4) 837 q.d., quater in die, four times a day.
1905 A. K. Beck Ref. Hand-bk. Nurses 12 Q. i. d. or Q. d. Quatuor in die. Four times a day.
1957 Dorland's Illustr. Med. Dict. (ed. 23) 1143/1 q.d., abbrev. for L. quaque die, every day.
2005 Jrnl. Amer. Coll. Cardiol. 46 1834/1 The loading/maintenance dose..was 300 mg/75 mg q.d. for clopidogrel.
q.d.s. adj. and adv. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quater in die sumendus to be taken four times a day < quater in die four times a day (see q.i.d. adj. and adv.) + classical Latin sūmendus , gerundive of sūmere to take (see sumpsimus n.)] ‘to be taken four times a day’; = q.i.d. adj. and adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by medicine or drug > [adverb] > prescribed frequency of administering drugs
stat1875
t.i.d.1885
t.d.s.1899
q.i.d.1905
q.d.s.1936
1936 Lancet 19 Sept. 679/1 Stramonium (old B.P. tincture) in doses up to ♏120 t.d.s. or ♏90 q.d.s.
1950 Lancet 23 Dec. 878/1 Medicines are given out, b.d. or q.d.s., always p.c., and nothing will make a ward sister give them a.c.
1967 Canad. Med. Assoc. Jrnl. 97 1005/1 The once-daily prescription.., or the fourth dose of a ‘q.d.s.’ prescription (10 p.m.), was apparently the most easily overlooked.
q.i.d. adj. and adv. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quater in die four times a day (Vetus Latina) or quattuor in die four a day < classical Latin quater four times (see quatercentenary adj. and n.) or quattuor four (see quatuor n.) + in diē in a day ( < in (see in prep.) + diē , ablative of diēs day: see diurnal adj.)] ‘four times a day’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by medicine or drug > [adverb] > prescribed frequency of administering drugs
stat1875
t.i.d.1885
t.d.s.1899
q.i.d.1905
q.d.s.1936
1905 A. K. Beck Ref. Hand-bk. Nurses 12 Q. i. d. or Q. d. Quatuor in die. Four times a day.
1934 Lancet 27 Oct. 924/1 This was increased to gr. 1 q.i.d., which amount she took almost regularly.
1967 Canad. Med. Assoc. Jrnl. 97 1005/1 ‘Aldoril q.i.d.’ ordered for a patient was counted as one drug for that day.
2003 Amer. Jrnl. Gastroenterol. 98 562/1 A single-triple capsule containing bismuth biskalcitrate 140 mg, metronidazole 125 mg, and tetracycline 125 mg given as three capsules q.i.d.
q.l. adj. [ < the initial letters of classical Latin quantum libet as much as is desired < quantum which amount (see quantum n.) + libet it pleases (see libitude n.)] rare ‘as much as is desired’.
ΚΠ
1890 G. M. Gould New Med. Dict. 372/1 Q.L., abbreviation of quantum libet—as much as desired.
1949 D. M. MacDonald Students' Pocket Prescriber (ed. 11) 305 q.l. = quantum libet, enough.
q.p. adj. [ < the initial letters of classical Latin quantum placet as much as you please (in a medical recipe) < quantum which amount (see quantum n.) + placet it pleases (see placet int. and n.)] rare ‘as much as you please’.
ΚΠ
1755 J. Smith Printer's Gram. xiii. 312 Of Physical Signs and Abbreviations... q.p. As much as you please.
1807 R. Morris & J. Kendrick Edinb. Med. & Physical Dict. II Q.P., in prescription, an abbreviation of quantum placet, as much as you please.
1917 O. A. Wall Prescription (ed. 4) 135 Q.P., Quantum placet, as much as you please.
q.pl. adj. [ < the initial letters of classical Latin quantum placet as much as you please (see q.p. adj.)] Obsolete rare = q.p. adj.
ΚΠ
1850 J. Ogilvie Imperial Dict. II. 507/1 Among physicians, q.pl. quantum placet, as much as you please.
q.s. adj. and n. [ < post-classical Latin q. s. (1588 or earlier), graphic abbreviation of quantum sufficit (see quantum sufficit n. and adv.)] ‘as much as suffices’ (see quantum sufficit n. and adv.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > (in) sufficient amount or degree [phrase]
at or to sufficiencec1430
sufficiently enough1556
q.s.a1662
quantum sufficit1699
quantum suff.1796
quant. suff.1821
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [noun] > dose of medicine > sufficient quantity
q.s.a1662
a1662 J. Symcotts in Publ. Beds. Hist. Rec. Soc. (1951) XXXI. 101 For the shaking of the hands: Take rosemary bruised q.s. and apply it to the wrists.
1722 J. Quincy Lexicon Physico-medicum (ed. 2) 69/2 q.s. A sufficient Quantity.
1869 A. S. Wright Wright's Bk. 3000 Pract. Receipts 138 Logwood, alum, water, q. s. Make a decoction, and add a little spirit.
1968 H. O. Mackey & J. P. Mackey Handbk. Dis. Skin (ed. 9) vii. 59 Ichthyol (ichthammol) cream: Ichthammol..Zinc cream q.s.
q.v. adj. [ < post-classical Latin q. v. (1674 in the passage translated in quot. 16761) < the initial letters of classical Latin quantum vis or post-classical Latin quantum volueris (4th or 5th cent. in Augustine) as much as you wish < classical Latin quantum which amount (see quantum n.) + vīs , 2nd singular present indicative of velle to wish (see volition n.) or voluerīs, 2nd singular perfect subjunctive of velle] rare ‘as much as you wish’.
ΚΠ
1676 T. Sherley tr. V. A. Moellenbrock Cochlearia Curiosa xi. 107 The roots of sea radishes, Wake Robin, an. q.v. [L. q. v.]
1676 T. Sherley in tr. V. A. Moellenbrock Cochlearia Curiosa sig. P8v q.v., quantum vis, as much as you please.
1682 G. Hartman Digby's Choice Coll. Rare Secrets i. 108 Take distilled Vinegar, q.v. quench burning Iron several times in it.
1692 W. Salmon tr. ‘Pseudo-Geber’ Summa in Medicina Practica ii. xlvi. 385/2 Take of either of them, q.v., and sublime as much thereof as can be sublimed.
1807 R. Morris & J. Kendrick Edinb. Med. & Physical Dict. II Q.V., an abbreviation of quantum vis, as much as you will.
1949 D. M. MacDonald Students' Pocket Prescriber (ed. 11) 305 q.v. = quantum volueris, as much as you wish.
c. Formulae placed at the end of mathematical problems, etc. (cf. Q.E.D. int.).
Q.E.F. n. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quod erat faciendum (12th cent. in a non-mathematical context) < classical Latin quod what (see what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n.) + erat , 3rd singular imperfect indicative of esse to be (see be v.) + faciendum , neuter of gerundive of facere to make (see fact n.)] ‘which was to be done’.
ΚΠ
1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 29 Q.E.F., (Quod erat faciendum) which was to be done.
1929 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 228 269 It seems desirable to conclude with a pointed ‘Q.E.F.’ in the shape of an illustration of the application of the formulæ obtained to a particular case.
1992 College Math. Jrnl. 23 305 Hence, before the black counter was added, it contained BW, i.e. one black counter and one white. Q.E.F.
Q.E.I. n. [ < the initial letters of post-classical Latin quod erat inveniendum which was to be found out or quod erat intentum which was asserted (a1273 in Aquinas) < classical Latin quod what (see what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n.) + erat , 3rd singular imperfect indicative of esse to be (see be v.) + inveniendum , neuter of gerundive of invenīre invent v. or intentum , neuter of past participle of intendere intend v.] now rare ‘which was to be found out’ (or ‘which was asserted’).
ΚΠ
1702 J. Harris New Short Treat. Algebra 136 That is, by Expunging p... 2x = PT. Q.E.I.
1748 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 45 143 Whence the Distance AB is likewise known. Q.E.I.
1929 H. P. Manning tr. G. Saccheri in D. E. Smith Source Bk. Math. iii. 354 It remains therefore that in the hypothesis indeed of the obtuse angle at the point C the side AC will be less than the opposite side MH, but in the hypothesis of the acute angle it will be greater. Q.E.I.
I2. From English words or phrases.
QA n. quality assurance.
Π
1976 Milton Keynes Express 11 June 34/3 (advt.) The successful applicants must be experienced in Machine Shop, Assembly and Fitting work and preferably QA procedures to Defence Standard 05-21.
1991 New Civil Engineer 3 Oct. 17/2 There are now more important matters to address in the directive, such as the implications for design warranties, insurance requirements, QA and the role of local standards officers.
1998 CSM May 69/1 (advt.) Our Survey and Valuation Department acts for the Major Lenders, has QA to ISO 9002..and is supported by our Building Survey Department.
Q and A n. question and answer (usually with reference to a formal series of questions and answers); frequently attributive.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [adjective] > accompanied by questions
question and answer1821
Q and A1837
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > interrogation > [noun] > course of
catechism1598
catechizing1600
catechization1744
Q and A1837
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > an answer, response > to a question
question and answer1817
Q and A1837
counter-question1864
counter-questioning1877
1837 Times 30 Jan. 2/4 See Mr. Harman's Second Evidence, Q. and A. 3.
1875 Prairie Farmer 4 Dec. 388/3 Would it be possible to get him to inform the public through the Q. and A. column of The Farmer.
1954 W. R. Simpson & F. K. Simpson Hockshop v. 127 We stalled until we could get the police into the Q. and A. contest.
1976 B. Bova Multiple Man (1977) i. 14 McMurtie wanted..to know if I'd planned a Q and A session after the speech.
1991 Times Educ. Suppl. 11 Jan. (First Appointments) p. xxix/1 Students should regard Q & A as a natural part of the learning process.
Q.B. n. British Law Queen's Bench.
ΚΠ
1864 Times 5 Dec. 11/3 See ‘Re Blake’ 30 Law Journal, Q.B., where the attorney, having borrowed money of a person not then his client..and appropriated it, the Court ordered him to be struck off the rolls.
1972 Times 1 Feb. 20/7 (advt.) Brown will be used for volumes containing Appeal Cases..green for KB/QB.
2006 Mondaq Business Briefing (Nexis) 20 Sept. The leading case of R v Waltham Forest LBC ex parte Baxter (1988) 1 Q.B. 419.
QB n. (also qb) American Football quarterback.
ΚΠ
1889 Outing Jan. 469/2 The players of the different clubs are as follows:..Q.B., Smith; H.B., Hamlin and Manchester; F.B., Beatty.
1894 Boston Daily Globe 27 Sept. 7/2 The men will line up as follows:..Knowlton qb, Craig lhb, [etc.].
1949 Lincoln (Nebraska) Jrnl. 16 Sept. 11/4 (headline) Faurot has Klein in QB slot again.
2002 H. S. Thompson in Hey Rube (2004) iii. 153 He is a winner—just like I would be if I played QB behind that offensive line.
QBD n. British Law Queen's Bench Division.
ΚΠ
1876 Times 28 Jan. 11/3 The learned counsel was alluding to the case of ‘Sneesby v. the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company’, ‘Law Reports’, 1, Q.B.D., p. 42.
2004 Legal Week (Nexis) 23 Sept. There are 110 High Court judges. Around three-quarters of them are assigned to the QBD.
Q.B.I. adj. and n. R.A.F. slang (now rare) (a) adj. (of flying conditions) ‘quite bloody impossible’ (see also quot. 19372); (b) n. ‘Q.B.I.’ flying conditions.
ΚΠ
1937 Times 7 Dec. 7/1 He answered a question about a formula known as ‘Q.B.I.’.
1937 Times 10 Dec. 17/6 Lieutenant-Commander Fletcher complained that Colonel Muirhead,..when asked what ‘Q.B.I.’ meant, said he had no idea... Colonel Muirhead might have saved himself from being misrepresented..if he had said, as pilots sometimes do, that they are short for ‘Quite beastly, invisible’.
1938 Times 3 Mar. 7/3 Instructions..as to height and position to be kept when flying in controlled areas during ‘Q.B.I.’ conditions.
1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 69 So now you fly in Q.B.I.
1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 143 He waited for some Q.B.I. And rushed aloft, the beam to try.
QC n. quality control; frequently attributive.
Π
1945 Jrnl. Royal Statist. Soc. 108 447 The methods of ‘quality control’ in production are now well established..but there is room for much work in a general oversight of the subject, and in the further study of data provided by ‘Q.C.’ records.
1969 T. C. Thorstensen Pract. Leather Technol. x. 159 (caption) After condensation, the product is neutralized, if desired, and dried prior to shipping. Frequent chemical analysis is made for quality control (QC check).
1991 Design Engin. Aug. 23 (advt.) Do your current trading needs involve welding technology and engineering, non-destructive testing, materials and corrosion, QC or design?
Q.C. n. British Law Queen's Counsel.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > counsellor, barrister, or advocate > K.C. or Q.C.
King's (Queen's) Counsel1689
silk gown1836
Q.C.1846
silk1884
1846 Times 11 Mar. 7/5 Mr. Whitehurst, Q.C., and Mr. Wildman conducted the plaintiff's case.
1887 D. Lloyd George Let. 25 Feb. (1973) 18 A Q.C. of high standing.
1988 Advocate (Vancouver, Brit. Columbia) Nov. 851 A letter from a former professor (and a Q.C.) contained the following words.
2004 H. Kennedy Just Law (2005) vi. 144 The Bar claims that the rank of QC is a hallmark which lets solicitors and clients know who the best advocates are.
Q.C.-dom n. Obsolete the state or condition of a Q.C.Apparently an isolated use.
Π
1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters in Cornhill Mag. Aug. 144 The hard struggle was over, the comparative table-land of Q.C.-dom gained.
QCD n. Physics quantum chromodynamics.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > quark > [noun] > quantum chromodynamics
QCD1975
quantum chromodynamics1975
chromodynamics1976
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > quantum field theory > [noun] > quantum chromodynamics
QCD1975
quantum chromodynamics1975
1975 H. Fritzsch et al. in Physics Lett. B. 59 256/1 A good name for this theory is quantum chromodynamics (QCD).
1979 Nature 1 Feb. 349/3 The one essential difference between QED and QCD is that whereas there is but one type of electrical charge in QED, the colour charge has three independent varieties.
2005 New Scientist 13 Aug. 33/2 While experiments churned out particles whose behaviour shed light on the internal workings of the strong force, lattice QCD theorists were left playing catch-up.
QE n. Banking quantitative easing.
ΚΠ
2004 T. Ito Inflation Targeting & Japan 9 Quantitative easing (QE), phase 1: March 2001–March 2003. QE until CPI inflation rate becomes ‘stably above zero’.
2011 Independent 3 June 33/3 (headline) Is US economy in need of third round of QE?
QF adj. and n. (also q.f.) (a) adj. (of a gun) quick-firing; (b) n. a quick-firing gun.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > [adjective] > quick-firing
rapid fire1861
QF1889
quick-fire1889
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > [noun] > type of firearm > quick-firing
quick-firer1885
QF1889
Quick Dick1918
1889 Jrnl. Royal United Service Inst. 33 1 The distinction between Q.F. guns and machine guns is that the former fire shell with bursting charge, the latter only firing bullets.
1890 G. S. Clarke Fortification Pl. xxviii Balance pillar mounting for 4·7-inch Q.F. gun.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 347/2 Endeavouring..to produce a more powerful gun than the then existing Q.F.
1972 D. Dakin Unification of Greece xi. 157 The Greek government ordered 144 7·5 mm Q.F. Schneider-Canet mountain guns.
1994 Independent (Nexis) 6 Aug. 5 He has identified about 20 variants of type 28 and 28A pillboxes which were designed to accommodate two-pounder anti-tank guns or six-pounder Hotchkiss QF guns.
qgp n. Physics quark-gluon plasma, a plasma consisting of free quarks and gluons, such as may have arisen shortly after the big bang.
ΚΠ
1983 Physics Lett. B 128 91/1 For collisions of two nuclei at ultrarelativistic energy it is expected that normal cold hadronic matter will make a phase transition to a plasma of quarks and gluons, (QGP).
2002 F. Close et al. Particle Odyssey (ed. 2) x. 194 In the QGP state the enlarged volume of free-flowing quarks and gluons lasts long enough for them all to reach the same average energy or, equivalently, temperature.
QI n. (also q.i.) quartz-iodine; chiefly attributive.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [adjective] > of or relating to light bulbs of specific type > quartz-iodine
quartz-iodine1914
QI1966
quartz-halogen1966
1966 Winnipeg Free Press 21 Nov. The Q.I. lamp lasts twice as long as others, gives brighter, sharper pictures and helps keep slides colour.
1969 Times 26 Aug. 12/4 Four headlamp systems had two q.i. main beam bulbs and two conventional double filament bulbs to provide dipped beams.
1976 Yorkshire Evening Press 9 Dec. 21/1 (advt.) Escort Mexico, ‘K’ reg. 60,000 miles. Q.I. headlamps, inertia belts.
1996 Cycle Touring & Campaigning Apr. 2/3 (advt.) Battery Lighting—All post free!.. Union 9842 long beam QI headlamp.
Q.M. n. British Military quartermaster.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer according to function > [noun] > quartermaster
quartermaster1590
fourrier1678
Q.M.1791
quartermaster captain1846
Q1916
quarter1917
quarter-bloke1918
quarter jack1930
1791 E. India Kalendar 29 Adjut. and Q.M. 3d brig. native infantry.
1845 Times 6 Nov. 7/6 The initials A.B. signify able seaman; O.S., ordinary seaman; R.M.A., Royal Marine Artillery; R.M., Royal Marine; Q.M., quartermaster.
1933 M. Lowry Ultramarine i. 49 It's good of you to ask me in, Q.M., thanks.
1992 G. M. Fraser Quartered Safe out Here 23 The poor infantryman is festooned with more kit than would start a Q.M. store.
QMG n. British Military quartermaster general.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer according to function > [noun] > quartermaster-general
marshal of the field?a1560
camp-mastera1569
field marshal1614
quartermaster general1616
marshal of the campa1628
tent-master1648
camp-marshal1670
camp-master-general1693
QMG1758
D.A.Q.M.G.-
1758 Impartial Narr. Exped. France 10 That would have deprived the Q.M.G. of Two Hours Sleep, which it is said, he is very fond of.
1852 Times 31 May 8/3 A. J. Cloete, Q.M.G.
1918 in M. Gilbert Winston S. Churchill (1977) IV. Compan. i. 367 As regards the latter the General Staff will inform QMG of our requirements and he will take up the matter with you.
1977 ‘D. MacNeil’ Wolf in Fold xvi. 165 I'm not leaving all those tents... Just think, the trouble there'd be with the QMG's department!
2005 Sunday Mirror (Nexis) 25 Sept. 27 The IRA's QMG also instructed units on how the process [of decommissioning] was to be carried out at ground level.
QMS n. British Military quartermaster sergeant.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer according to function > [noun] > quartermaster > subordinate quartermaster
perforce1632
quartermaster sergeant1776
QMS1876
1876 Times 19 July 9/5 Q.M.S. Paterson, 1st Mid Lothian.
1916 Anzac Bk. 65 I am a Q.M.S... We have a Quartermaster, but of course, I do all the work.
1998 Times (Nexis) 17 Jan. He now exchanged the rigours of the Western Front for a posting to a repair regiment as a quartermaster sergeant. He never forgot the words of the fully-fit QMS he relieved.
QPM n. British Queen's Police Medal.
ΚΠ
1972 Jrnl. Criminal Law, Criminology & Police Sci. 63 130/2 Col. Sir Eric St. Johnston, C.B.E., Q.P.M. H.M. Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
2004 Liverpool Echo (Nexis) 31 Dec. 9 Wirral-based Stephen Roberts, deputy assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, has also been awarded the QPM.
QR n. quick response; frequently attributive, with reference to a type of two-dimensional machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing URLs or coding information for reading by a camera phone; esp. in QR code.QR code is a proprietary name.
Π
1986 N.Y. Times 24 June d27/2 QR, quick response, has become the byword of the fiber industry.
1997 PR Newswire (Nexis) 23 Apr. QR Code, the first symbology specifically designed to efficiently encode Japanese characters.
2009 K. Yarrow & J. O'Donnell Gen BuY vii. 192 Companies in Asia have been doing so-called QR (for quick response) for years, but Ralph Lauren was the first retailer here to offer QR codes in its advertising.
2011 Solihull News (Nexis) 22 Apr. 2 Download a free QR reader app on your smartphone, follow the instructions above and..you'll be able to instantly view the full details on your phone.
QS n. [perhaps < quadraphonic-stereophonic: compare SQ n. at S n.1 Initialisms 1] Sound Recording (now disused) (the designation of) a particular system of quadraphonic recording and reproduction.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > record > recording or reproducing sound or visual material > sound recording and reproduction > [adjective] > recorded by specific system
taped1892
phonographed1897
acoustic1926
acoustical1926
stereophonic1927
monaural1931
multitracked1931
binaural1933
multitrack1935
tape-recorded1951
telediphoned1952
stereo1954
multi-taped1955
monophonic1958
pretaped1958
mono1960
audiotaped1962
multichannel1962
quarter-track1962
Dolby1966
quadraphonic1968
tetraphonic1969
periphonic1970
quad1970
quadrasonic1970
Dolbyized1971
QS1972
Dolbyed1973
premix1977
quadro1977
1972 Wireless World Feb. 55/2 A way of avoiding the mislocalization..in the simple matrix technique has been adopted by Sansui in their QS system.
1975 G. J. King Audio Handbk. vii. 168 SQ records also yield good stereo.., but QS records are less objectively accommodating in this respect.
QSO n. Astronomy quasi-stellar object (i.e. a quasar).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > star > kind of star > quasar > [noun]
QSO1964
quasar1964
1964 New Scientist 13 Aug. 393/3 The objects known variously as superstars, quasars, quasi-stellar objects or (for short) QSO's continue to cause intense interest among astronomers.
1998 J. F. Hawley & K. A. Holcomb Found. Mod. Cosmol. ix. 257 It has been possible to detect the faintest wisp of spirals around some QSOs themselves.
QSS n. Astronomy (now disused) quasi-stellar source (of radio waves).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > radio source > [noun]
radio star1949
X-ray star1964
QSS1965
X-ray nova1968
interpulse1969
X-ray pulsar1969
X-ray binary1972
1965 A. Sandage & J. D. Wyndham in Astrophysical Jrnl. 141 328 To the present time there have been positive identifications of nine quasi-stellar radio sources (hereinafter called ‘QSS’).
1976 Astrophysical Jrnl. 209 362 The model was illustrated with the aid of 4C 39.25, a centimeter-excess source known to be a QSS.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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