harrow

[har-oh]

noun

an agricultural implement with spikelike teeth or upright disks, drawn chiefly over plowed land to level it, break up clods, root up weeds, etc.

verb (used with object)

to draw a harrow over (land).
to disturb keenly or painfully; distress the mind, feelings, etc., of.

verb (used without object)

to become broken up by harrowing, as soil.

Origin of harrow

1250–1300; Middle English harwe; akin to Old Norse herfi harrow, Dutch hark rake, Greek krṓpion sickle

Related formshar·row·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for harrower

Historical Examples of harrower

Mr. Harrower and Mr. Fogle threw up their eyes with an intensity of contempt that defies description.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland
Various
Beethoven was cried up to the seventh heaven by Mr. Harrower, for his grandeur and sublimity, and all that sort of thing.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland
Various
The passing between Christie and Harrower that day was splendid, and fairly astonished the Renton backs and goalkeeper.
Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches
David Drummond Bone
Mr. Harrower was really a beautiful dribbler, not easily knocked off his pins, and the most unselfish player I ever saw.
Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches
David Drummond Bone

British Dictionary definitions for harrower

harrow

noun

any of various implements used to level the ground, stir the soil, break up clods, destroy weeds, etc, in soil

verb

(tr) to draw a harrow over (land)
(intr) (of soil) to become broken up through harrowing
(tr) to distress; vex

Derived Formsharrower, nounharrowing, adjective, noun

Word Origin for harrow

C13: of Scandinavian origin; compare Danish harv, Swedish harf; related to Middle Dutch harke rake

harrow

verb (tr) archaic

to plunder or ravish
(of Christ) to descend into (hell) to rescue righteous souls

Derived Formsharrowment, noun

Word Origin for harrow

C13: variant of Old English hergian to harry

Harrow

noun

a borough of NW Greater London; site of an English boys' public school founded in 1571 at Harrow-on-the-Hill, a part of this borough. Pop: 210 700 (2003 est). Area: 51 sq km (20 sq miles)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for harrower

harrow

agricultural implement, heavy wooden rake, c.1300, haru, from Old English *hearwa, apparently related to Old Norse harfr "harrow," and perhaps connected with Old English hærfest "harvest" (see harvest). Or possibly from hergian (see harry).

harrow

"to drag a harrow over," especially in harrowing of Hell in Christian theology, early 14c., from hergian (see harry). In the figurative sense of "to wound the feelings, distress greatly" it is first attested c.1600 in Shakespeare. Related: Harrowed; harrowing.