What is a quire in a church

A choir, also sometimes called quire, is the area of a church or cathedral that provides seating for the clergy and church choir. It is in the western part of the chancel, between the nave and the sanctuary, which houses the altar and Church tabernacle.

1. What is the difference between choir and quire?
2. Why is it called the quire?
3. Why is it called the choir?
4. Is quire a choir?

What is the difference between choir and quire?

Today, any number of such parcels of paper folded together to form a book may be called a quire. The word quire is derived from the Latin word quaterni, which means four each. A choir is a group of singers that practices and performs together, especially in a church.

Why is it called the quire?

During the Middle Ages, a quire was a little book or pamphlet made from four folded sheets of parchment. The name stems from the medieval Latin quaternum, "set of four sheets of parchment," and the root quater, "four times."

Why is it called the choir?

Choir, pronounced QUIRE, comes from the Latin word chorus, which itself comes from the Greek name for a group of singers and dancers. We still use chorus for singing or dancing, but choir is exclusively for singing groups.

Is quire a choir?

An alternative spelling for choir, the place where services are sung. Choirs are commonly in the chancel, at the east end of the church, generally separated from the nave by the chancel arch and possibly a screen.