harrow
UK: ˈhærəʊ | US: ˈhæroʊ
n. a heavy frame with spikes or discs used to break up and level soil
vt. to distress or torment someone mentally
vt. to drag a harrow over land for cultivation
The word "harrow" traces back to Old English hearwe, meaning a farming implement. Its dual meanings—agricultural tool and mental torment—reflect its historical use. The verb sense of "distress" likely arose metaphorically from the tool's action of tearing up the ground, evoking emotional upheaval. The word remains structurally intact, with no clear morpheme divisions in modern English.
The farmer used a harrow to prepare the field for planting.
The news of the accident harrowed her deeply.
After plowing, he harrowed the soil to smooth it.
His harrowing experience left him with lasting anxiety.
The documentary depicted the harrowing conditions of war.