English to English Dictionary

Quartation

The metallurgical process of alloying an impure gold sample with silver in a proportion of three parts silver to one part gold, allowing nitric acid to dissolve the silver and separate the gold.

Quiesce

To cause a software process, hardware device, or system to become inactive or dormant temporarily, typically in preparation for a backup or shutdown.

Quintain

A medieval tilting post consisting of a rotating board on one side and a bag of sand or heavy weight on the other, used as a target for lancers.

Quixotic

Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical, especially in the pursuit of lofty, romantic, or noble goals.

quern

A simple handmill for grinding grain, typically consisting of two circular stones.