HARBOUR


Meaning of HARBOUR in English

( BrE ) ( NAmE har·bor ) / ˈhɑːbə(r); NAmE ˈhɑːrb-/ noun , verb

■ noun

[ C , U ] an area of water on the coast, protected from the open sea by strong walls, where ships can shelter :

Several boats lay at anchor in the harbour.

to enter / leave harbour

■ verb [ vn ]

1.

to hide and protect sb who is hiding from the police :

Police believe someone must be harbouring the killer.

2.

to keep feelings or thoughts, especially negative ones, in your mind for a long time :

The arsonist may harbour a grudge against the company.

She began to harbour doubts about the decision.

3.

to contain sth and allow it to develop :

Your dishcloth can harbour many germs.

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WORD ORIGIN

late Old English herebeorg shelter, refuge , herebeorgian occupy shelter , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch herberge and German Herberge , also to French auberge inn; see also harbinger .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.