Etymology : Middle English querre entrails of game given to the hounds, from Middle French cuiree, from cuir skin, hide , from Latin corium; more at CUIRASS
Pronunciation : kwor-E, kwär-
Function : noun
Date : 14th century
1. pit where stone is mined; game, animals which are hunted; prey, victim; thing which is chased, object of a pursuit; windowpane; rich source of something. hew, chisel; dig, excavate, mine; look for, seek. quarryquarter \quar"ter\ , n. [f. quartier, l. quartarius a fourth part, fr. quartus the fourth. see:
quart.].
2. one of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc. hence, specifically: (a) the fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds. (b) the fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal. utton. (c) (astron.) the fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full. (d) one limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, including a leg; as, the fore quarters; the hind quarters. (e) that part of a boot or shoe which forms the side, from the heel to the vamp. (f) (far.) that part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, being the side of the coffin. (g) a term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter. (h) pl. (mil.) the encampment on one of the principal passages round a place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. (i) (naut.) the after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent with the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of the slings. (j) (her.) one of the divisions of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fess point.note: when two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the other. see:
quarter, v. t.,.
3. (k) one of the four parts into which the horizon is regarded as divided; a cardinal point; a direction' principal division; a region; a territory. scouts each coast light-armed scour, each quarter, to descry the distant foe. (l) a division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the latin quarter in paris. (m) (arch.) a small upright timber post, used in partitions; -- in the united states more commonly called stud. (n) (naut.) the fourth part of the distance from one point of the compass to another, being the fourth part of 11° 15?, that is, about 2° 49?; -- called also quarter point.
4. proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location. swift to their several quarters hasted then the cumbrous elements. hence, specifically: (a) (naut.) a station at which officers and men are posted in battle; -- usually in the plural. (b) place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; -- usually in the plural. the banter turned as to what quarters each would find. irving. (c) pl. (mil.) a station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters. (d) treatment shown by an enemy; mercy; especially, the act of sparing the life a conquered enemy; a refraining from pushing one's advantage to extremes. he magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives. cocks and lambs at the mercy of cats and wolves must never expect better quarter.
5. friendship; amity; concord. [obs.] to keep quarter, to keep one's proper place, and so be on good terms with another. [obs.] in quarter, and in terms like bride and groom. i knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, and yet kept good quarter between themselves.
6. Same as 1st Quarrel.
7. Quadrate; square.
8. A part of the entrails of the beast taken, given to the hounds.
9. A heap of game killed.
10. The object of the chase; the animal hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks.
11. To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy.
12. A place, cavern, or pit where stone is taken from the rock or ledge, or dug from the earth, for building or other purposes; a stone pit.
13. See 5th Mine.
14. To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble. extract from or as if from a quarry; "quarry marble".
15. 1. A quarry is an area that is dug out from a piece of land or the side of a mountain in order to get stone or minerals. an old limestone quarry.
16. When stone or minerals are quarried or when an area is quarried for them, they are removed from the area by digging, drilling, or using explosives. The large limestone caves are also quarried for cement. locally quarried stone. + quarrying quar·ry·ing Farming, quarrying and other local industries have declined.
17. A person's or animal's quarry is the person or animal that they are hunting. quarried quarrying quarries to dig stone or sand from a quarry quarry sth for sth.