— harborer , n. — harborless , adj. — harborous , adj.
/hahr"beuhr/ , n.
1. a part of a body of water along the shore deep enough for anchoring a ship and so situated with respect to coastal features, whether natural or artificial, as to provide protection from winds, waves, and currents.
2. such a body of water having docks or port facilities.
3. any place of shelter or refuge: The old inn was a harbor for tired travelers.
v.t.
4. to give shelter to; offer refuge to: They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.
5. to conceal; hide: to harbor fugitives.
6. to keep or hold in the mind; maintain; entertain: to harbor suspicion.
7. to house or contain.
8. to shelter (a vessel), as in a harbor.
v.i.
9. (of a vessel) to take shelter in a harbor.
Also, esp. Brit., harbour .
[ bef. 1150; ME herber ( we ), herberge, OE herebeorg lodgings, quarters ( here army + ( ge ) beorg refuge); c. G Herberge ]
Syn. 1. HARBOR, HAVEN, PORT indicate a shelter for ships. A HARBOR may be natural or artificially constructed or improved: a fine harbor on the eastern coast. A HAVEN is usually a natural harbor that can be utilized by ships as a place of safety; the word is common in literary use: a haven in time of storm; a haven of refuge. A PORT is a HARBOR viewed esp. in its commercial relations, though it is frequently applied in the meaning of HARBOR or HAVEN also: a thriving port; any old port in a storm. 3. asylum, sanctuary, retreat. 4. protect, lodge. 6. See cherish .