harrow
harrow
Transitive VerbNoun
pl: harrowspast: harrowedpp: harroweding: harrowing
The agricultural sense describes a physical process of breaking and smoothing the earth, creating a foundation for growth. It carries a connotation of preparation and necessary labor.
When used emotionally, the word evokes the image of the soil being torn apart, mirroring the feeling of one's mind or soul being ripped by grief or trauma. This usage is typically reserved for intense, prolonged suffering rather than temporary sadness.
Meanings
Transitive Verbharrow
[~ something]
To draw a heavy frame with teeth or spikes over plowed land to break up clods and cover seeds.
The farmer began to harrow the field before planting the wheat.
Phrasal Verbs
harrow out
to thoroughly extract or rake through something to find or remove debris
The gardener had to harrow out the remaining stones from the soil before planting.