quarry

Where does the word "quarry" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin quadraria, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Quarry’s story begins in Medieval Latin: quadraria meant “stone pit.” From 'quadrare', to square: a place where stone was cut square. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as quarriere. Masons squared blocks there. It reached English by 1400s as quarry. 'quarry' as hunted prey comes from a different word. Today, quarry means a place where stone is dug out.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval quadraria "stone pit", from 'quadrare', to square: a place where stone was cut square.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval quarriere "stone pit", masons squared blocks there.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s quarry "stone pit", 'quarry' as hunted prey comes from a different word.