one-quarter
UK[ˌwʌn ˈkwɔːtə]US[ˌwʌn ˈkwɔːrtər]
n
one of four equal parts of something; 25%
Morpheme Breakdown
one
quarter
one
one, a single
quarter
fourth part
Etymology
The term is a transparent compound of two ancient numerical concepts. "One" originates from the Proto-Germanic numeral ainaz, a fundamental unit. "Quarter" has a journey from the Latin ordinal 'quartus' (fourth), through Old French, to denote a division into four. The compound 'one-quarter' logically and literally combines these elements to specify a single part out of four equal divisions, directly preserving the arithmetic relationship in its modern meaning of 25%.
Analysis
Structure: one + quarter
one: From Old English 'ān', meaning "one, a single". A numeral root.
quarter: From Old French 'quartier', from Latin 'quartarius' meaning "fourth part", from 'quartus' meaning "fourth".
Examples
She inherited one-quarter of the family estate.
Add one-quarter cup of milk to the mixture.
The proposal was supported by only one-quarter of the committee members.