Quire vs. Choir — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Quire refers to a collection of sheets of paper; choir denotes a group of singers.
Difference Between Quire and Choir
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A quire represents a measurement in paper, typically consisting of 25 or 24 sheets, underscoring its relevance in stationary and bookbinding contexts. On the other hand, a choir refers to an ensemble of singers, often associated with performing music in religious or concert settings.
The difference extends into their applications: quires are fundamental in the printing and packaging industries, while choirs play a crucial role in cultural, religious, and educational institutions.
The etymology of both terms reveals their unique histories; "quire" originates from Latin "quaterni," meaning four each, reflecting its quantitative nature, whereas "choir" is derived from the Latin "chorus," emphasizing its musical and collective aspects. These distinctions highlight not only their disparate meanings but also their varying contributions to language and society.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A collection of 25 or 24 sheets of paper.
A group of singers.
Usage Context
Printing, bookbinding, and stationary.
Music, religious services, and performances.
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Origin
Latin "quaterni," meaning four each.
Latin "chorus," meaning dance or song.
Primary Function
Measuring paper quantities.
Performing vocal music.
Associated With
Paper industry.
Music, religion, and culture.
Compare with Definitions
Quire
A measurement in bookbinding.
The manuscript was 10 quires thick, indicating its substantial length.
Choir
Can be divided by voice type.
The soprano section of the choir sang the melody.
Quire
Refers to paper quantity.
She purchased a quire of paper for her art project.
Choir
Involved in musical performances.
The choir received a standing ovation for their performance.
Quire
Stationary term.
Office supplies include various quires of specialty paper.
Choir
Community or school groups.
She joined the school choir to meet new friends and explore music.
Quire
Used in the printing industry.
The printer adjusted the settings to handle multiple quires efficiently.
Choir
Performs in religious settings.
The cathedral's choir is known for its angelic voices.
Quire
A bundle of paper.
The publisher ordered thousands of quires for the upcoming book release.
Choir
A group of singers.
The choir practiced weekly at the church.
Quire
Four sheets of paper or parchment folded to form eight leaves, as in medieval manuscripts.
Choir
A choir (; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.
Quire
A set of 24 or sometimes 25 sheets of paper of the same size and stock; one twentieth of a ream.
Choir
An organized company of singers, especially one performing church music or singing in a church.
Quire
A collection of leaves of parchment or paper, folded one within the other, in a manuscript or book.
Choir
The part of a church used by such a company of singers.
Quire
Variant of choir.
Choir
The part of the chancel in a cruciform church that is occupied by this company of singers.
Quire
One-twentieth of a ream of paper; a collection of twenty-four or twenty-five sheets of paper of the same size and quality, unfolded or having a single fold.
Choir
A group of instruments of the same kind
A string choir.
Quire
(bookbinding) A set of leaves which are stitched together, originally a set of four pieces of paper (eight leaves, sixteen pages). This is most often a single signature (i.e. group of four), but may be several nested signatures.
Choir
A division of some pipe organs, containing pipes suitable for accompanying a choir.
Quire
A book, poem, or pamphlet.
Choir
An organized group
A choir of dancers.
Quire
(archaic) A choir.
Choir
One of the orders of angels.
Quire
One quarter of a cruciform church, or the architectural area of a church used by the choir, often near the apse.
Choir
To sing in chorus.
Quire
(bookbinding) To prepare quires by stitching together leaves of paper.
Choir
A group of people who sing together; a company of people who are trained to sing together.
The church choir practices Thursday nights.
Quire
(intransitive) To sing in concert.
Choir
(architecture) The part of a church where the choir assembles for song.
Quire
See Choir.
A quire of such enticing birds.
Choir
One of the nine ranks or orders of angels.
Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones are three of the choirs of angels.
Quire
A collection of twenty-four sheets of paper of the same size and quality, unfolded or having a single fold; one twentieth of a ream.
Choir
Set of strings (one per note) for a harpsichord.
Quire
To sing in concert.
Choir
A band or organized company of singers, especially in church service.
Quire
A quantity of paper; 24 or 25 sheets
Choir
That part of a church appropriated to the singers.
Choir
The chancel.
Choir
A chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
Choir
A family of similar musical instrument playing together
Choir
The area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave
Choir
Sing in a choir
Common Curiosities
Can choirs have specific types?
Yes, choirs can be categorized by age, music genre, or voice type.
How is a choir different from a quire?
A choir is a group of singers, while a quire refers to a quantity of paper.
Do all choirs perform religious music?
No, choirs perform a variety of music, including secular and contemporary genres.
What is a quire?
A quire is a collection of 25 or 24 sheets of paper.
Is quire a common term in everyday language?
Quire is more common in specific contexts like printing and stationary.
Can quires be recycled?
Yes, like other paper products, quires can be recycled.
Do choirs only perform in churches?
While many choirs perform in religious settings, others perform in concert halls, events, and competitions.
What are the uses of a quire?
Quire is mainly used in printing, bookbinding, and as a paper measurement.
What type of paper is in a quire?
A quire can consist of any type of paper, depending on its intended use.
How many people are in a choir?
The size of a choir can vary widely, from a handful of singers to over a hundred.
What does a choir director do?
A choir director leads, teaches, and conducts the choir during performances.
Are quires used in digital printing?
Yes, quires are relevant in both traditional and digital printing processes.
How old is the concept of a choir?
Choirs have been a part of human culture for centuries, with roots in ancient religious ceremonies.
What skills do choir members need?
Choir members benefit from vocal training, musical literacy, and teamwork skills.
Can anyone join a choir?
Many choirs are open to all levels of singers, though some may require auditions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
