Word
quarry
Phoneticsquar·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkwɔɹi/
UK/kwˈɒɹi/
Definitions
01stone mine
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a large, deep hole in the ground where people dig out stone, like marble or granite, for building.
n. an open-pit excavation from which stone, slate, or other minerals are extracted for industrial or construction use.
“The workers spent all day at the limestone quarry cutting large blocks for the new library.”
“The abandoned granite quarry has since filled with rainwater, creating a deep pool that is popular with local swimmers despite the safety warnings.”
Synonyms
02hunted animal or person
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. an animal or person that is being hunted or followed.
n. an animal or person being hunted or pursued; the object of a search or chase.
“The hunters followed their quarry deep into the dark forest.”
“The detective remained patient, waiting for his quarry to make a single mistake that would reveal his hidden location.”
Antonyms
03glass pane
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical · Archaic
n. a small, diamond-shaped piece of glass used in a window.
n. a diamond-shaped pane of glass or a tile used in decorative flooring or windows.
“The old cottage had windows made of small glass quarries held together with lead.”
“The restoration team carefully replaced each cracked quarry in the stained-glass window to match the original medieval design.”
Real-World Examples
“This past week, he finally stopped trying to continue operations, leaving his stone quarry business all but abandoned.” “Spalled or calcined stone faces are cut back to reach sound material and then patched or replaced with stones from the same quarry, where possible.” Etymology
From Middle English quarere, from Medieval Latin quarreria (1266), literally a “place where stones are squared”, from Old French quarrière (compare modern French carrière), from Vulgar Latin quadraria, from Latin quadrō (“I square”), itself from quadra (“a square”), from quattuor (“four”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kʷetwóres (“four”).
From Middle English quyrre, querre, quirre, from Anglo-Norman quiree (“entrails of deer placed on the hide and given to dogs of the chase as a reward”) (influenced by cuir (“skin (of an animal)”), from Latin corium (“a hide”)), from coree (“entrails, viscera”), from Vulgar Latin corata (“entrails”), from Latin cor (“heart”).
Alteration of quarrel (“diamond-shaped piece of coloured glass forming part of a stained glass window; square tile”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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