Quirk (?), n. [Written also querk.] [Cf W. chwiori to turn briskly, or E. queer.]
1.
A sudden turn; a starting from the point or line; hence, an artful evasion or subterfuge; a shift; a quibble; as, the quirks of a pettifogger.
"Some
quirk or . . . evasion."
Spenser.
We ground the justification of our nonconformity on dark subtilties and intricate quirks.
Barrow.
2.
A fit or turn; a short paroxysm; a caprice.
[Obs.] "
Quirks of joy and grief."
Shak.
3.
A smart retort; a quibble; a shallow conceit.
Some odd quirks and remnants of wit.
Shak.
4.
An irregular air; as, light quirks of music.
Pope.
5. Building
A piece of ground taken out of any regular ground plot or floor, so as to make a court, yard, etc.; -- sometimes written quink.
Gwilt.
6. Arch.
A small channel, deeply recessed in proportion to its width, used to insulate and give relief to a convex rounded molding.
Quirk molding, a bead between two quirks.
© Webster 1913.