Etymology: French, signature (section of a bound book), written statement presented to the sovereign by a representative body of the state, from Latin quaterni four each, by fours — more at quire
1. : a report or memorial embodying resolutions or instructions concerning policy especially of a parliamentary body; specifically : one of the memorials prepared by the French States-General before the revolution of 1789
2. : a number of sheets of paper put together for binding or bound loosely together to form a notebook or pamphlet
Useful english dictionary. 2012.