quan

n.; pl. Quandaries [ Prob. fr. OE. wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandræði difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult. ] A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of an Australian tree (Fusanus acuminatus) of the Sandalwood family; -- called also quandang. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Etymol. uncertain. ] (Zool.) The old squaw. [ Local, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A flat file having the handle at one side, so as to be used like a plane. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A punting pole with a broad flange near the end to prevent it from sinking into the mud; a setting pole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. quantus how much. See Quantity. ] (Math.) A homogeneous algebraic function of two or more variables, in general containing only positive integral powers of the variables, and called quadric, cubic, quartic, etc., according as it is of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or a higher degree. These are further called binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., according as they contain two, three, four, or more variables; thus, the quantic &unr_; is a binary cubic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Quantity. ] Modification by a reference to quantity; the introduction of the element of quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

The quantification of the predicate belongs in part to Sir William Hamilton; viz., in its extension to negative propositions. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. quantus now much + -fy. ] 1. To modify or qualify with respect to quantity; to determine, fix or express the quantity of; to rate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Logic) To make explicit the quantity of; as, to quantify a variable. [ PJC ]