quarry

UK: ˈkwɒri | US: ˈkwɔːri

Definition

  1. n. 1. An open excavation or pit for extracting stone, marble, or other materials.

  2. n. 2. An animal pursued by a hunter or predator; prey.

  3. vt. To extract (stone or other materials) from a quarry.

Structure
quar <stone>ry <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "quarry" has two distinct origins:

  1. For the meaning "stone excavation," it derives from Old French quarriere (place where stone is cut), from Latin quadraria (a place where stone is squared), rooted in quadrus (square). The morpheme "quar" reflects the Latin focus on squared stone blocks.
  2. For the meaning "hunted animal," it comes from Anglo-French quirreie (entrails of game given to hounds), from Old French cuiree (skin, hide), likely from Latin corium (hide). Here, "quarry" evolved via hunting terminology.
Examples

  1. The workers spent years extracting marble from the quarry.

  2. The lion stalked its quarry silently through the grass.

  3. This region is famous for its slate quarries.

  4. The archaeologists discovered tools near an ancient quarry.

  5. Hawks circled above, searching for their next quarry.