harrow

noun

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.

   “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.”

   ““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.””

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

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

verb

1. (transitive)To drag a harrow over; to break up with a harrow.

   “Will he harrow the valleys after thee?”

   “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.”

2. (transitive)To traumatize or disturb; to torment, distress or vex.

   “It harrows me with fear and wonder.”

   “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: […]”

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

3. (transitive)To break or tear, as if with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate.

   “my aged muscles harrow'd up with whips”

intj

1. (obsolete)A 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.”

name

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