harrow

plural harrows

1. A device consisting of a heavy framework having several disks or teeth in a row, which is dragged across ploughed land to smooth or break up the soil, to remove weeds or cover seeds; a harrow plow.

   Part of your job would be to learn tractor ploughing and the use of planters, harrows, and cultivators.

   1969, Bessie Head, When Rain Clouds Gather, Heinemann, published 1995, page 28

   2 more examples

   He sent for the carpenter, who was under contract to be with the threshing-machine, but it turned out that he was mending the harrows, which should have been mended the week before Lent.

   1918, Louise & Aylmer Maude, Anna Karenina, Oxford, translation of original by Leo Tolstoy, published 1998, page 153

   “It may be fun for her,” I said with one of my bitter laughs, “but it isn't so diverting for the unfortunate toads beneath the harrow whom she plunges so ruthlessly in the soup.”

   1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter X

2. governmentAn obstacle formed by turning an ordinary harrow upside down, the frame being buried.

present singular third person harrows · participle present harrowing · participle past harrowed · past harrowed

1. transitiveTo drag a harrow over; to break up with a harrow.

   Will he harrow the valleys after thee?

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 39:10

   1 more example

   When the corn was sown, I had no harrow, but was forced to go over it myself, and drag a great heavy bough of a tree over it, to scratch it, as it may be called, rather than rake or harrow it.

   1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC

2. transitiveTo traumatize or disturb; to torment, distress or vex.

   It harrows me with fear and wonder.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

   2 more examples

   I could a Tale vnfold, vvhoſe lighteſt vvord / VVould harrovv vp thy ſoule, freeze thy young blood, / Make thy tvvo eyes like Starres, ſtart from their Spheres, / Thy knotty and combined locks to part, / And each particular haire to ſtand an end, / Like Quilles vpon the fretfull Porpentine: […]

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], page 257, column 2

   The headless horseman harrowed Ichabod Crane as he tried to reach the bridge.

   1820, Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

   Synonyms: anguish, distress, trouble, afflict, lacerate, aggrieve, plague, atray

3. transitiveTo break or tear, as if with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate.

   my aged muscles harrow'd up with whips

   1707, Nicholas Rowe, The Royal Convert

   Synonyms: damage, harm, torture, abuse, annoy, bewound, damage, damnify

1. obsoleteA call for help, or of distress, alarm etc.

   Harrow, the flames, which me consume (said hee) / Ne can be quencht, within my secret bowels bee.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

1. A town in northwestern Greater London, England, historically in the county of Middlesex.
2. A London borough of Greater London, England.
3. A locality in the Shire of Southern Grampians and the Shire of West Wimmera, south western Victoria, Australia.
4. A prestigious public school for boys, in the town of Harrow.

1. A surname originating as an occupation for a harrower.