Meaning & Definition of word "Quarry"
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Quarry
/ˈkwɔːri/
noun:
- 1. A place, typically a large, deep pit, from which stone or other materials are extracted.
- Example: The workers at the quarry extracted limestone for the new building projects.
- 2. An animal or person that is pursued or hunted.
- Example: The hunter tracked his quarry through the dense forest.
verb:
- 1. To obtain (stone or other materials) from a quarry.
- Example: They will quarry the granite needed for the monument from the nearby hills.
- 2. To search for or pursue a target.
- Example: In his spare time, he would quarry information about ancient artifacts.
Etymology
Middle English 'quarrye', from Old French 'cuerrée', from 'querre' meaning 'to square'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
a quarry of knowledge:
A rich source of information.
quarry one's thoughts:
To extract or dig out one's thoughts or ideas.
Related Words
quarrier:
A person who works in a quarry.
quarryman:
A laborer who works in a quarry.
quarried:
Past tense of quarry; extracted from a quarry.
Slang Meanings of quarry
Meaning: To pursue someone in a competitive context.
Example Sentence: In the game, he was quarrying the top score among his friends.
Meaning: To search intensely for something.
Example Sentence: I spent the afternoon quarrying for the perfect gift.