I. ˈkwȯr-ē, ˈkwär- noun
( plural quarries )
Etymology: Middle English quirre, querre entrails of game given to the hounds, from Anglo-French cureie, quereie, from quir, cuir skin, hide (on which the entrails were placed), from Latin corium — more at cuirass
Date: 14th century
1. obsolete : a heap of the game killed in a hunt
2. : game ; specifically : game hunted with hawks
3. : one that is sought or pursued : prey
II. noun
( plural quarries )
Etymology: Middle English quarey, alteration of quarrere, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin * quadraria, from Late Latin quadrus hewn (literally, squared) stone, from Latin quadrum square
Date: 14th century
1. : an open excavation usually for obtaining building stone, slate, or limestone
2. : a rich source
III. verb
( quar·ried ; quar·ry·ing )
Date: 1774
transitive verb
1. : to dig or take from or as if from a quarry
quarry marble
2. : to make a quarry in
quarry a hill
intransitive verb
: to delve in or as if in a quarry
IV. noun
( plural quarries )
Etymology: alteration of quarrel (I)
Date: 1555
: a diamond-shaped pane of glass, stone, or tile