quarry

/ˈkwɔri/

/ˈkwɔri/

Other forms: quarries; quarried; quarrying

Both meanings of quarry have to do with going after something. An animal being hunted is called quarry, and when you dig a hole in the earth looking for rocks, both the digging and the hole are called quarry as well.

Gross fact: Quarry derives from the Latin cor "heart," because hunters used to drape the entrails of their chosen quarry on their dogs' backs. The origin in a word for "heart" can help you remember both quarries: a rock quarry is searching down toward the heart of the earth; a stag's heart is considered a hunter's greatest prize.

Definitions of quarry

1. noun

   animal hunted or caught for food
   synonyms: prey

   type of:

   animal, animate being, beast, brute, creature, fauna

   a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
2. noun

   a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
   synonyms: fair game, prey, target

   type of:

   victim

   an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
3. noun

   a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate
   synonyms: pit, stone pit

   types:

   chalk pit, chalkpit

   a quarry for chalk

   gravel pit

   a quarry for gravel

   type of:

   excavation

   a hole in the ground made by excavating
4. verb

   extract (something such as stones) from or as if from a quarry
   “quarry marble”

   type of:

   exploit, tap

   draw from; make good use of