quarter horse

See also: quarterhorse

English

Alternative forms

• quarterhorse
• quarter-horse

Etymology

Named for its ability to outdistance other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less.

Noun

quarter horse (plural quarter horses)

1. An American breed of horse originally bred for short-distance racing. [from 19th c.]
   • 1980, Charles Bukowski, letter, 4 November, in On Writing, Canongate 2016, p. 158:

     I'm getting ready to go out and play the quarter horses.

   • 1992, Elizabeth Darracott Wheeler, Sir John Dodderidge, Celebrated Barrister of Britain, 1555-1628:

     When the last tune of music floated from the fleet, he unstabled his quarter horse and headed for the coastal road leading west and north on his circuit.