1 harrow | Definition of harrow

harrow

verb (1)
har·​row | \ ˈher-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce harrow (audio) , ˈha-(ˌ)rō\
harrowed; harrowing; harrows

Definition of harrow

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

archaic
: pillage, plunder long harrowed by oppressor's hand— Sir Walter Scott

harrow

noun

Definition of harrow (Entry 2 of 4)

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

harrow

verb (2)
harrowed; harrowing; harrows

Definition of harrow (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cultivate with a harrow (see harrow entry 2) 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

Harrow

geographical name
Har·​row | \ ˈha-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce Harrow (audio) \

Definition of Harrow (Entry 4 of 4)

borough of northwestern Greater London, England population 241,000

Other Words from harrow

Verb (2)

harrower \ ˈher-​ə-​wər How to pronounce harrower (audio) , ˈha-​rə-​ \ noun

First Known Use of harrow

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for harrow

Verb (1)

Middle English harwen, from Old English hergian

Noun

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

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More Definitions for harrow

harrow

noun
har·​row | \ ˈher-ō How to pronounce harrow (audio) \

Kids Definition of harrow

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

harrow

verb
harrowed; harrowing

Kids Definition of harrow (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on harrow

Rhyming Dictionary: 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