It's literally "less the quarter", referring to a quarter of an hour before the next hour.
For example:
* "Quarter to five" is "cinq heures moins le quart".
* "Quarter to eight" is "huit heures moins le quart".
It's literally "less the quarter", referring to a quarter of an hour before the next hour.
For example:
* "Quarter to five" is "cinq heures moins le quart".
* "Quarter to eight" is "huit heures moins le quart".