English · Word Candidate

quarry

/ˈkwɒɹ.i/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: quarries · quarrying · quarried

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A site for mining stone, such as limestone, or slate.

Noun

Examples

Michelangelo personally quarried marble from the world-famous quarry at Carrara.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To obtain (or mine) stone by extraction from a quarry.

Verb

Examples

The incloſing of this country might alſo be effected, were the landlord to quarry the ſtones, and build the walls at his expence, and the tenant to carry the materials, and pay intereſt for the money advanced by the landlord.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To extract or slowly obtain by long, tedious searching.

Verb

Examples

They quarried out new, interesting facts about ancient Egypt from old papyri.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

An animal, often a bird or mammal, which is hunted.

Noun

Examples

Is it not our very Caſe now, that when our Souls, Good-Names, Bodies and Fortunes are at Stake, we muſt be running out at Check, after every Crow, Buzzard, or Jack-daw that comes in the way, and leave the main Chance at laſt at Six and Seven? Nay, and here's this more in't too, that the Quarry would

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “quarry” mean?

A site for mining stone, such as limestone, or slate.

Is “quarry” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.