Category:Quaternion

Qua*ter"ni*on, n. Etym: [l. quaternio, fr.quaterni four each. See Quaternary.]

1. The number four. [poetic]

2. A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken Collectively; a group of four words, phrases, circumstances, facts, Or the like. Delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers. Acts xii. 4. Ye elements, the eldest birth of nature's womb, that in quaternion Run. Milton. The triads and quaternions with which he loaded his sentences. Sir w. Scott.

3. A word of four syllables; a quadrisyllable.

4. (math.)

Defn: the quotient of two vectors, or of two directed right lines in Space, considered as depending on four geometrical elements, and as Expressible by an algebraic symbol of quadrinomial form.

Note: the science or calculus of quaternions is a new mathematical Method, in which the conception of a quaternion is unfolded and Symbolically expressed, and is applied to various classes of Algebraical, geometrical, and physical questions, so as to discover Theorems, and to arrive at the solution of problems. Sir w. R. Hamilton.

Quaternion Qua*ter"ni*on, v. t.

Defn: to divide into quaternions, files, or companies. Milton.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Quaternion - A band of four soldiers. Peter was committed by Herod to the custody of four quaternions, i.e., one quaternion for each watch of the night (Acts 12:4). Thus every precaution was taken against his escape from prison. Two of each quaternion were in turn stationed at the door (Acts 12:6), and to two the apostle was chained according to Roman custom.