季度

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 季度 (jìdù) for "quarter" is composed of two characters: 季 (jì) and 度 (dù). 季 originally meant "season" and was used to refer to one of the four seasons in a year. It can also be used to refer to a period of three months, which is why it is used in 季度 to refer to a quarter of a year. 度 originally meant "degree" or "measure" and was used to refer to a unit of measurement. In 季度, it is used to refer to the length of time that a quarter of a year lasts. So, 季度 literally means "season measure" and is used to refer to a period of three months.