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harborer

harborer

8.1
A person who keeps a feeling, thought, or plan inside without telling anyone
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑːrbərər/
  • US
translation icon : ocultador
  • Known for his calm demeanor, Mark is a harborer of deep thoughts.

Examples

  • She is a harborer of hidden fears, never expressing them aloud.

  • As a harborer of unspoken dreams, she often reflects on what might have been.

  • Rough, uncompromising Garth, harborer of secrets.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

brooder
vsharborer
1 7.2

A person who often thinks quietly about worries or sad thoughts

secretly keeps emotions, thoughts, or intentions inside rather than only worrying
ruminator
vsharborer
8.9

A person who often thinks quietly and carefully about things

keeps feelings, thoughts, or intentions held secretly rather than just reflecting
secreter
vsharborer
  • Archaic
8.1

A person or object that hides something in a secret place

keeps inner feelings or intentions secret rather than hiding physical objects

Surface Forms

harborer singular
harborers plural
harbourers plural
harbourer singular

Morphology

harborer = harbor (transparent) = harbor + er

Agentive noun formed from the verb 'harbor' in its mental sense ('to hold' feelings), so 'harborer' = 'one who holds/harbors (emotions)'.

Etymology

Harborer comes from harbor, a 'safe place' for ships, so to 'harbor' an emotion is to keep it inside you, like keeping a ship safe in a harbour, which helps explain a person who secretly holds a feeling or thought.