חָרַץ (b. h.) 1) to dig a cavity, to cut a trench of even width all through. Y. Kil. VII, 31ᵇ bot. חפר ח׳ נעץ וכ׳ if (on the Sabbath) one dug (a pit), made a trench, and cut a wedge-like ditch (narrow below), he is guilty of one act; Y. Sabb. VII, 9ᵈ bot.; a. fr. —2) to decree, designate. Tanḥ. B’ḥuck. 1 (ref. to Job XIV, 5) ח׳ ימיו וכ׳ He designated the duration of life of every creature.—Part. pass. חָרוּץ, f. חֲרוּצָה; pl. חֲרוּצִים, חֲרוּצוֹת a) grooved. Sabb. 98ᵇ ח׳ היו הקרשים וב׳ the boards of the Tabernacle were grooved, and the sockets hollowed out correspondingly.—b) decreed, decided; determined. Gen. R. s. 67 (ref. to Prov. XII, 27) the blessings שמעיקר העולם חרוצות לו which were designated to him from primeval days. Ib. חרוצה ביד וכ׳ it is a decided fact known to the righteous that they will in this world receive none &c. Deut. R. s. 1 שידיך חדות וח׳ that thy hands are quick and determined.—c) flat-nosed, v. חָרוּץ.
Nif. - נֶחֲרַץ to be cut into, dug, ploughed. Y. Nidd. I, 49ᵃ bot. a soil is called virgin כל שלא נ׳ בה מימיה when it has never been cut into; v. חֶרֶץ.