Emily Dickinson Lexicon

QUAN'TUM, n. [L.]

The quantity; the amount. Quantum meruit. In law, an action grounded on a promise that the defendant would pay to the plaintif for his service as much as he should deserve. Quantum sufficit. Sufficient; as much as is needed. Quantum valebat. An action to recover of the defendant for goods sold, as much as they were worth. – Blackstone.