A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Crotchet
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CROTCHET, a note which is half the value of a minim, and twice that of a quaver, and is represented thus 
. The origin of the name is not known. It is apparently derived from the French croche; but croche is a quaver, 
, and is so called on account of the hook at the end of its tail, whereas a crotchet has no hook. The French name for this note is noire, the Italian, semi-minima, and the German Viertel, 'a quarter'—i.e. of a semi-breve. The French call a crochet rest, 
, by the pretty name of un soupir.
. The origin of the name is not known. It is apparently derived from the French croche; but croche is a quaver, 
, and is so called on account of the hook at the end of its tail, whereas a crotchet has no hook. The French name for this note is noire, the Italian, semi-minima, and the German Viertel, 'a quarter'—i.e. of a semi-breve. The French call a crochet rest, 
, by the pretty name of un soupir.
[ G. ]