\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.