Prey vs. Quarry — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024
Prey refers to an animal hunted or caught for food by another animal, emphasizing the biological and survival context, whereas quarry can mean either the hunted animal itself or the act of hunting, often used in hunting or literary contexts.
Difference Between Prey and Quarry
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Key Differences
Prey is primarily used in ecological and biological contexts to describe animals hunted by predators as part of the food chain. Whereas, quarry is a term that refers not only to the hunted animal but also to the act of hunting, showing a broader usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
In terms of usage, prey is commonly associated with natural predator-prey relationships, highlighting the instinctual aspects of hunting for survival. On the other hand, quarry often appears in sporting and literary discussions, emphasizing the pursuit or challenge aspect of hunting.
While the concept of prey underlines vulnerability and the role of an animal within an ecosystem, quarry often connotes a target or goal, whether in hunting, figurative speech, or even in mining, where it denotes extracted materials.
Prey is a straightforward term with clear ecological implications, indicating the dynamics between hunting animals and their food sources. Quarry, however, can vary in interpretation, sometimes used to dramatize the pursuit or to highlight the skills and traditions of human hunters.
In everyday language, prey is often used to describe victims in broader scenarios, such as in cybercrime or bullying, illustrating vulnerability. Quarry, in contrast, may be used to describe something sought after with great effort or enthusiasm, extending beyond living targets.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An animal hunted or caught for food.
An animal hunted, or the object of a hunt.
Context
Ecological, biological.
Hunting, literary, figurative.
Implications
Vulnerability, survival necessity.
Pursuit, challenge, extraction.
Usage in Language
Commonly describes natural food dynamics.
Used both literally for hunting and metaphorically.
Broader Meanings
Can imply victimhood in various contexts.
Often implies a sought-after goal or prize.
Compare with Definitions
Prey
Indicates the natural role in food chains.
Rabbits are common prey for a variety of predators.
Quarry
Sometimes symbolizes a challenge or difficult endeavor.
The elusive agreement became the diplomat's quarry.
Prey
Used metaphorically to describe victims or targets.
Scammers often view the elderly as easy prey.
Quarry
The object of a hunt, either an animal or a goal.
The fox was the hunter’s quarry.
Prey
An animal hunted for food by another.
The lion stalked its prey silently through the tall grass.
Quarry
Can imply something extracted, as in mining.
Marble quarry is an important economic activity in the region.
Prey
Describes an organism involved in predator-prey interactions.
In the ocean, small fish serve as prey for many larger species.
Quarry
Refers to the pursuit or act of hunting.
The chase quickened as the hounds sensed their quarry.
Prey
Can reflect vulnerability or disadvantage.
As a small startup, they felt like prey in a sea of sharks.
Quarry
Used in non-hunting contexts to mean a sought-after object.
The rare manuscript was the scholar's quarry.
Prey
An animal hunted or caught by another for food
The leopard carried its prey into a tree.
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine in which dimension stone, rock, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, gravel, or slate is excavated from the ground. The operation of quarries is regulated in some jurisdictions to reduce their environmental impact.The word quarry can also include the underground quarrying for stone, such as Bath stone.
Prey
The collection of animals typically hunted and eaten by a predator
The acoustic location of prey by barn owls.
Quarry
A hunted animal; prey.
Prey
An object or victim of attack
Ships that became the prey of pirates.
Quarry
Hunted animals considered as a group; game.
Prey
One that is subjected to or afflicted with something
Was prey to depression.
Quarry
An object of pursuit
The police lost their quarry in the crowd.
Prey
One that is deceived or taken advantage of by another
Easy prey for swindlers.
Quarry
An open excavation or pit from which stone is obtained by digging, cutting, or blasting.
Prey
The act or practice of preying.
Quarry
A rich or productive source
Found the book an indispensable quarry of information.
Prey
Plunder; booty.
Quarry
A square or diamond shape.
Prey
To hunt, catch, or eat as prey
Owls prey on mice.
Quarry
A pane of glass having this shape.
Prey
To victimize or make a profit at someone else's expense
Swindlers who prey upon the weak.
Quarry
To obtain (stone) from a quarry, as by cutting, digging, or blasting.
Prey
To plunder or pillage
Vikings preying on coastal settlements.
Quarry
To extract (facts, for example) by long, careful searching
Finally quarried out the genealogy from hundreds of sources.
Prey
To exert a baneful or injurious effect
Remorse preyed on his mind.
Quarry
To use (land) as a quarry.
Prey
(archaic) Anything, such as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; something taken by force from an enemy in war
Quarry
(mining) A site for mining stone, limestone, or slate.
Prey
That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured
Quarry
A part of the entrails of a hunted animal, given to the hounds as a reward.
Prey
A person or thing given up as a victim.
Quarry
(uncountable) An animal, often a bird or mammal, which is hunted.
Prey
A living thing that is eaten by another living thing.
The rabbit was eaten by the coyote, so the rabbit is the coyote's prey.
Quarry
(countable) An object of search or pursuit.
Prey
(archaic) The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
Quarry
A diamond-shaped tile or pane, often of glass or stone.
Prey
The victim of a disease.
Quarry
(transitive) To obtain (or mine) stone by extraction from a quarry.
Prey
(intransitive) To act as a predator.
Quarry
To extract or slowly obtain by long, tedious searching.
They quarried out new, interesting facts about ancient Egypt from old papyri.
Prey
Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest.
Quarry
To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy.
Prey
That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey.
Already sees herself the monster's prey.
Quarry
Same as 1st Quarrel.
Prey
The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
Quarry
A part of the entrails of the beast taken, given to the hounds.
Prey
To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by violence.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed,While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.
Quarry
The object of the chase; the animal hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks.
The wily quarry shunned the shock.
Prey
A person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence;
He fell prey to muggers
Everyone was fair game
The target of a manhunt
Quarry
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. See 5th Mine (a).
Prey
Animal hunted or caught for food
Quarry
Quadrate; square.
Prey
Profit from in an exploitatory manner;
He feeds on her insecurity
Quarry
To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy.
Prey
Prey on or hunt for;
These mammals predate certain eggs
Quarry
To dig or take from a quarry; as, to quarry marble.
Quarry
A person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence;
He fell prey to muggers
Everyone was fair game
The target of a manhunt
Quarry
A surface excavation for extracting stone or slate;
A British term for `quarry' is `stone pit'
Quarry
Animal hunted or caught for food
Quarry
Extract (something such as stones) from or as if from a quarry;
Quarry marble
Common Curiosities
Can humans be considered prey?
In metaphorical terms, humans can be considered prey in scenarios where they are exploited or victimized.
What types of animals are typically considered quarry?
Typically, larger or game animals hunted in sports or for trophies are considered quarry, such as deer, foxes, or birds.
How do ecological and hunting contexts differ in their use of these terms?
Ecological contexts use prey to discuss natural predator-prey dynamics, while hunting contexts use quarry to describe the target of a hunt, emphasizing the pursuit and skill involved.
Are there legal protections for prey?
Yes, many regions have laws to protect certain wildlife, particularly those integral to maintaining ecological balance.
What defines an animal as prey?
An animal is defined as prey if it is hunted or captured for food by another animal.
Can the terms prey and quarry be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used similarly, they are not fully interchangeable as prey strictly relates to food dynamics and quarry can extend to any pursued object.
How is quarry used differently from prey?
Quarry can refer to both the act of hunting and the hunted animal, often used in sporting or literary contexts, whereas prey specifically refers to animals caught for food.
What does it mean when someone is described as 'prey' in a social context?
It typically implies that the person is vulnerable or at risk of being exploited or harmed by others.
Is quarry used in industries other than hunting?
Yes, quarry is also used in the mining industry to describe the material extracted from the earth, like stone or marble.
How can understanding these terms help in conservation efforts?
Understanding predator-prey dynamics and human impact on wildlife through hunting (quarry) can help in developing effective conservation strategies.
What literary works use quarry to signify more than just hunted animals?
Literary works often use quarry to symbolize a character’s pursuit of goals or desires, adding layers of meaning to the narrative.
What ethical considerations are there in using the term quarry for hunting?
Using the term quarry can romanticize or trivialize the act of hunting, which raises ethical questions about animal rights and conservation.
What are the survival strategies of typical prey animals?
Typical survival strategies include camouflage, fleeing, defensive behaviors, and living in groups to reduce individual risk.
What role does quarry play in traditional cultural practices?
Quarry plays a central role in traditional hunting practices and rituals, often symbolizing bravery and skill in many cultures.
How does prey differ in aquatic versus terrestrial environments?
In aquatic environments, prey dynamics involve different predator-prey relationships, often involving larger food webs, compared to more direct interactions in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
