harbor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A sheltered area of water where ships can stay safely.

   The fishing boats returned to the harbor before the storm.

2. 2
   verb

   To keep a feeling or thought in your mind for a long time.

   She harbored a deep resentment toward her old boss.

3. 3
   verb

   To hide or give shelter to someone, especially a criminal.

   He was arrested for harboring a fugitive.

From Middle English herberwe, herber, from Old English herebeorg (“shelter, lodgings, quarters”), from Proto-West Germanic *harjabergu (“army shelter, refuge”), from *harjaz (“army”) + *bergō (“protection”), equivalent to Old English here (“army, host”) + beorg (“defense, protection, refuge”). The final syllable was subsequently altered by analogy with the Anglo‐Norman and Old French suffix -or (as seen in loanwords like honour and labour). Doublet of albergo and auberge. See also borrow, bury, harbinger, harry and here.

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