Sekirov Dictionary

crotchet

UK /ˈkɹɒtʃ.ɪt/US /ˈkɹɑt͡ʃ.ɪt/

noun 8
verb 1
forms 3

noun8

•
A musical note one beat long in 4/4 time.
- The crotchets and quavers are dancing up and down the stave like little black boys on a fence. — 1920
A square bracket.
•
(historical) A hook-shaped instrument, especially as used in obstetric surgery.
- Either Doctor Denman or an old Woman would have waited—but since the horrid death-doing Crotchet has been found out, & its use permitted—Oh! many & many a Life has been flung away. — 1797
A forked support; a crotch.
The arrangement of a body of troops, either forward or rearward, so as to form a line nearly perpendicular to the general line of battle.
(historical) An indentation in the glacis of the covered way, at a point where a traverse is placed.
(no longer used) A sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
•
(no longer used) A whim or a fancy.
- He ruined himself and all that trusted in him by crotchets that he could never explain to any rational man. — 1847

verb1

(no longer used) to play music in measured time

forms

crotcheted · crotcheting · crotchets

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome