harbor English · revision 7399

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1125|origins=gem-pro *harjabergą}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhɑːbə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈhɑɹbɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English herberwe, herberge, from Old English *herebeorg, here-beorg, lodgings, quarters,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Proto-Germanic *harja-bergaz, shelter for an army, from *harjaz, army (see [[harry]]) and a word for shelter related to [[m|ang|beorgan|t=to save, protect]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Word Histories) from PIE [[ine-pro|*bʰergʰ-|alt=*bhergh-|t=to hide, protect]].^(Etymonline) It is cognate with German [[m|de|Herberge|t=hostel, inn]] and Dutch herberg, and was perhaps modelled on Old Norse herbergi.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Refuge, lodgings: about 1125 in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) a lodging for ships, a sheltered recess in a coast, the early 12th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The harbour for ships is probably before 1200, in Layamon.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English herberwe meant a temporary dwelling, an inn, or an army's camp, and the sense for ships is a specialization of it.^(Etymonline) The verb, Old English herebeorgian, to take up quarters, shelter oneself, gives ''to harbour'' a fugitive and figuratively a feeling or grudge.^(Etymonline)^(AHD) The form harber appears about 1475.^(Barnhart 1988) Merriam-Webster's word histories connect it with [[harbinger]], originally one who went ahead to arrange lodgings.^(MW Word Histories)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1125 – lodgings.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1200 – a harbour for ships.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1475 – the form harber.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sheltered place on a coast where ships can anchor safely; a [[port]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A place of shelter or refuge.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give shelter or a hiding place to, especially to a criminal.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To keep a thought or feeling in one's mind: ''harbor a grudge''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To contain or carry, as germs.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[harborer]]

+ * [[harborful]]

+ * [[harborless]]

+ * [[harborous]]

+ * [[harborage]]

+ * [[harbormaster]]

+ * [[harborside]]

+ * [[Bar Harbor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[harbour]]

+ * [[harbinger]]

+ * [[harry]]

+ * [[bury]]

+ * [[borough]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ British English spells the word [[harbour]].^(OED 1989)^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}