harbours
|har-bours|
🇺🇸
/ˈhɑrbər/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɑːbə/
(harbour)
to provide shelter / to hold secretly
Etymology
'harbour' originates from Old English and Old Norse influences, specifically Old English 'herebeorg' and Old French 'herberge', where elements meant 'here' (army) and 'beorg/berge' (shelter, lodging).
'harbour' changed from Old English 'herebeorg' (literally 'army-shelter') and Old French 'herberge' into Middle English forms such as 'herberge'/'harbre' and eventually the modern English 'harbour'.
Initially, it meant 'army shelter' or 'lodging'; over time it evolved to mean 'a sheltered place for ships' and extended figuratively to 'a place of refuge' and 'to hold secretly (feelings)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a sheltered place on the coast where ships and boats can anchor safely; a port.
Several harbours along the coastline provide shelter during storms.
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Noun 2
a place of refuge or protection (figurative).
The old library became a harbour for those seeking quiet study.
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Verb 1
to give shelter or refuge to ships or people; to shelter.
The small port harbours many fishing vessels each winter.
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Verb 2
to keep (a thought, feeling, or plan) in one's mind, often secretly; to hold or maintain (often something negative).
She harbours doubts about the project's success.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 22:39