Harrowing, /ˈhærəʊɪŋ/, is a word that's commonly used to describe an experience that's extremely distressing, emotionally draining or traumatic. The word is spelled with two r's, reflecting its origin in the Old English word 'hergian'. The word refers to the act of raking or breaking up soil, and originally had connotations of violence and destruction. The spelling of 'harrowing' has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in Middle English, reflecting the word's deep roots in the English language.
Harrowing is an adjective that describes an experience or situation that is deeply distressing, unsettling, or traumatizing. The term is often used to depict something that is very difficult to endure or witness, often generating intense feelings of fear, anguish, or pain. The word itself originates from the agricultural tool called a harrow, which is used to break up and level soil, causing lines or furrows on the ground. In a figurative sense, the term "harrowing" carries the connotation of something that similarly penetrates and disturbs the emotional or psychological state of a person.
A harrowing experience can encompass various scenarios such as surviving a natural disaster, being a witness to acts of violence or cruelty, enduring a personal tragedy, or going through a deeply disturbing event. It suggests that one has faced or witnessed something that leaves a lasting impact and can potentially haunt or disturb the individual. The term is often associated with stories or descriptions that evoke strong emotions in the reader or listener. Harrowing accounts can engender a sense of empathy and compassion in others, as they provide a glimpse into the suffering and anguish experienced by those involved.
• The act or process of drawing a harrow over ploughed land.
• Acutely distressing; lacerating.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "harrowing" comes from the verb "harrow", which has its roots in Old English. In Old English, the verb was "hergian", derived from the noun "hearg", meaning "harrow" or "rake". The noun "hearg" itself is believed to have originated from Germanic roots, likely related to the word "harrowing" as we know it today. Over time, "harrowing" came to be used figuratively to describe intense or distressing experiences, referring to the emotional turmoil one might go through, similar to the way land is churned up and broken by a harrow.