Har″bor (–bẽr), n. [Written also harbour.] [OE. herbor, herberwe, herberge, Icel. herbergi (cf. OHG. heriberga), orig., a shelter for soldiers; herr army + bjarga to save, help, defend; akin to AS. here army, G. heer, OHG. heri, Goth. harjis, and AS. beorgan to save, shelter, defend, G. bergen. See Harry, 2d Bury, and cf. Harbinger.] 1. A station for rest and entertainment; a place of security and comfort; a refuge; a shelter.
fair harbour that them seems. Spenser.
For harbor at a thousand doors they knocked. Dryden.
2. Specif.: A lodging place; an inn. Chaucer.
3. (Astrol.) The mansion of a heavenly body.
4. A portion of a sea, a lake, or other large body of water, either landlocked or artificially protected so as to be a place of safety for vessels in stormy weather; a port or haven.
5. (Glass Works) A mixing box for materials.
Harbor dues(Naut.), fees paid for the use of a harbor. — Harbor seal(Zoöl.), the common seal. — Harbor watch, a watch set when a vessel is in port; an anchor watch.