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harrow

verb har·row \ ˈher-(ˌ)ō , ˈha-(ˌ)rō \

Definition of harrow

harrowed; harrowing; harrows
transitive verb
archaic
: pillage, plunder
  • long harrowed by oppressor's hand
  • —Sir Walter Scott

Origin and Etymology of harrow

Middle English harwen, from Old English hergian

2

harrow

noun

Definition of harrow

: a cultivating tool set with spikes, teeth, or disks and used primarily for breaking up and smoothing the soil

See harrow defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of harrow

Middle English harwe; akin to Old Norse hervi harrow, Middle Dutch harke rake

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

3

harrow

verb

Definition of harrow

harrowed; harrowing; harrows
transitive verb
1 : to cultivate with a harrow (see 2harrow)
  • harrow the fields
2 : torment, vex
  • harrowed by war
  • has not set out to appall the reader with horrors nor to harrow him with miseries
  • —Douglas Stewart
—

harrower

play \ˈher-ə-wər, ˈha-rə-\ noun

First Known Use of harrow

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Harrow

geographical name Har·row \ ˈha-(ˌ)rō \

Definition of Harrow

borough of northwestern Greater London, England population 241,000

HARROW Defined for Kids

1

harrow

noun har·row \ ˈher-ō \

Definition of harrow for Students

: a piece of farm equipment that has metal teeth or disks for breaking up and smoothing soil
2

harrow

verb

Definition of harrow for Students

harrowed; harrowing
1 : to drag a harrow over (plowed ground)
2 : 2distress
  • … the rest that lay helpless in their bunks harrowed me with screaming …
  • —Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

Learn More about harrow

  1. See words that rhyme with harrow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for harrow Spanish Central: Translation of harrow Nglish: Translation of harrow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of harrow for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harrow

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