harrow

¹ American  

[har-oh] / ˈhær oʊ /

noun

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to draw a harrow over (land).

2. to disturb keenly or painfully; distress the mind, feelings, etc., of.

verb (used without object)

1. to become broken up by harrowing, as soil.

harrow ² American  

[har-oh] / ˈhær oʊ /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

1. to ravish; violate; despoil.

2. harry.

3. (of Christ) to descend into (hell) to free the righteous held captive.

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Harrow ³ American  

[har-oh] / ˈhær oʊ /

noun

1. a borough of Greater London, in SE England.

2. a boarding school for boys, founded in 1571 at Harrow-on-the-Hill, an urban district near London, England.

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harrow ¹ British  

/ ˈhærəʊ /

noun

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

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verb

1. (tr) to draw a harrow over (land)

2. (intr) (of soil) to become broken up through harrowing

3. (tr) to distress; vex

harrow ² British  

/ ˈhærəʊ /

verb

1. to plunder or ravish

2. (of Christ) to descend into (hell) to rescue righteous souls

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Harrow ³ British  

/ ˈhærəʊ /

noun

1. 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)

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Other Word Forms

• harrower noun
• harrowing adjective
• harrowment noun

Etymology

Origin of harrow¹

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

Origin of harrow²

before 1000; Middle English harwen, herwen, Old English hergian to harry

Example Sentences

Alas, Clare was forced to face the harrowing reality: Just as in his short, lonely life, he was unworthy of affection.

From Literature

Inspired by a novella by Soviet physicist Georgy Demidov, who chronicled his own harrowing experiences in the gulag from the late 1930s until the early 1950s, “Two Prosecutors” unfolds with ominous efficiency.

From Los Angeles Times

Leaders from across the political spectrum have since called for an immediate investigation, calling the allegations "harrowing" and "sickening".

From BBC

Originally self-published last February, Shy Girl was described in its promotional material as a "buzzy BookTok sensation" and "a harrowing tale of survival and revenge" and well as being "bloody and unapologetic".

From BBC

"I think it is important to support any means, any possibility, of not forgetting," added Gelber, who has shared his harrowing experiences with more than 1,000 schools and institutions.

From Barron's

Related Words

• afflict
• annoy
• bedevil
• bother
• harass
• hound
• hurt
• irritate
• mistreat
• molest
• nag
• pester
• plague
• smite
• tease
• torture
• vex