harbor
UK: ˈhɑːbə | US: ˈhɑːrbər
n. a place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter
vt. to give shelter or refuge to someone or something
vt. to hold a thought, feeling, or secret persistently
The word "harbor" traces back to Old English herebeorg, reflecting its original military connotation as a shelter for troops. Over time, it generalized to mean any safe haven, especially for ships. The morpheme harb- evolved from herebeorg, losing its military specificity, while -or solidified its function as a noun denoting a place of safety. The dual verb meanings ("to shelter" and "to hold secretly") emerged metaphorically from the idea of protection.
The fishing boats returned to the harbor before the storm.
She harbored a deep resentment for years.
The forest harbors many rare species of birds.
The law forbids harboring fugitives.
His smile harbored no hint of deception.