harry

¹

[ har-ee ]

verb (used with object)

, har·ried, har·ry·ing.

1. to harass, agitate, or trouble by or as if by repeated attacks; beleaguer:

   He was harried by constant doubts.

   Synonyms: trouble, plague, molest

2. to ravage, as in war; devastate:

   The troops harried the countryside.

   Synonyms: pillage, rob, strip, plunder

verb (used without object)

, har·ried, har·ry·ing.

1. to make harassing incursions.

Harry

²

[ har-ee ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Harold or Henry.

harry

/ ˈhærɪ /

verb

1. tr to harass; worry
2. to ravage (a town, etc), esp in war

Word History and Origins

Origin of harry¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English herien, Old English her(g)ian (derivative of here “army”); cognate with German verheeren, Old Norse herja “to harry, lay waste”

Word History and Origins

Origin of harry¹

Old English hergian; related to here army, Old Norse herja to lay waste, Old High German heriōn

Example Sentences

There is, fortunately, not too much telling of the future in Harry Potter.

From The Daily Beast

President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”

From The Daily Beast

“A guy drives up in a 2008 Mercedes, brand new,” Harry S. Connelly Jr. says in the video, according to the Times.

From The Daily Beast

In 1951, Harry Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.

From The Daily Beast

The biggest misfire here, though, was the notion that anyone would believe that this dude looked at all like Prince Harry.

From The Daily Beast

Do you want the marriage of your daughter with the rich and Honourable Harry broken?

From Project Gutenberg

During this conversation Harry's right hand was resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

"Colonel Shaffer is a few miles to the west with about five hundred men," replied Harry.

From Project Gutenberg

Harry had no further adventures in reaching Fulton, and at once reported to Captain Duffield, who was in command of the post.

From Project Gutenberg

"It will go through, if I live," calmly replied Harry, as he carefully concealed the message in the lining of his coat.

From Project Gutenberg