from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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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