Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Quartation \Quar*ta"tion\, n. [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)
   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}.