QUARTATIONS
Noun
quartations
plural of quartation
Source: Wiktionary
QUARTATION
Quar*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. quartus the fourth: cf. F. quartation. So
called because usually enough silver is added to make the amount of
gold in the alloyed button about one fourth.] (Chem. & Assaying)
Definition: The act, process, or result (in the process of parting) of
alloying a button of nearly pure gold with enough silver to reduce
the fineness so as to allow acids to attack and remove all metals
except the gold; -- called also inquartation. Compare Parting.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition