A clipped form of Middle English ferthendel, equivalent to fourth + deal. Cognate with Dutch vierendeel ("a fourth part, quarter"), German Viertel ("a quarter, fourth"), Danish fjerdedel ("a quarter"), Swedish fjärdedel ("a fourth, quarter").
From Middle English fardel, from Old French fardel ("pack, bundle"), from Spanish fardel, diminutive of fardo, from Arabic فَرْدَة ("cloth, woman's clothes").
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