Quarry
As a Noun
1. As a Source of Stone
- A large, open excavation site where stone, minerals, or other materials are extracted.
2. As a Target or Prey
- An animal or person being hunted or pursued.
- A goal or objective that is actively sought.
As a Verb
- To extract stone or minerals from a quarry.
- To search or dig for information, resources, or materials.
As Other Form
- Quarried (Verb, Past Tense): Extracted from a quarry.
Word History
The word quarry (in the stone-extraction sense) comes from the Latin quadraria, meaning “a place where stones are cut.” The hunting-related meaning comes from the Old French cuiriee, referring to hunted prey.
Examples
- The workers extracted marble from the quarry. (Noun – stone source)
- The lion stalked its quarry through the tall grass. (Noun – prey)
- The journalist quarried through documents for evidence. (Verb)
- Granite is quarried from deep underground. (Verb)
Synonyms
(For Stone) Pit, mine, excavation, dig site
(For Prey) Target, victim, chase, pursuit
Related Words
Hunt, extract, pursuit, excavation
Antonyms
(For Stone) Deposit, untouched land
(For Prey) Hunter, predator