Barrows

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A large mound of earth or a structure used for burial, often containing graves or tombs
2. A wheelbarrow, typically used for transporting loads in construction or gardening
3. A term referring to the hills or low hills in certain geographical areas, often associated with burial sites or ancient monuments

Etymology: The word "barrows" is the plural of "barrow," and the most striking thing about it is that "barrow" once had two entirely different meanings that happened to share one spelling. The mound sense comes from Old English "beorg," meaning "hill, mountain, mound, or burial place," which is the same root behind modern German "Berg" and Dutch "berg," both meaning "mountain." English "barrow" is a doublet of "berg" and "bergh," meaning these words developed from one ancestor along separate paths. The other "barrow," meaning a wheeled or handled carrying device, is an unrelated word. It comes from Old English "bearwe," a basket or handbarrow, which derives from the verb "beran," "to bear" or "carry." That is why the wheelbarrow carries its name: it is a thing for bearing loads. A third "barrow" meaning "boar" comes from a different Old English source, "bearg," related to Old Norse "bǫrgr." Its only connection to the mound sense is coincidental.

Synonyms: wheelbarrows, carts