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noun
1.
a musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame formed by a soundbox, a pillar, and a curved neck, and having strings stretched between the soundbox and the neck that are plucked with the fingers.
2.
anything that resembles this instrument, especially in having a row of parallel strings or wires, as various mechanical devices or kitchen implements for slicing cheese.
3.
a vertical metal frame shaped to bend around the bulb in a standing lamp and used to support a lamp shade.
4.
Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a person of Irish birth or descent.
5.
Also called harper. any of several English coins issued for use in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries, bearing the figure of a harp on the reverse.
6.
South Midland and Southern U.S. a mouth harp; harmonica.
verb (used without object)
7.
to play on a harp.
00:10
Harp
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
8.
harp onupon, to dwell on persistently or tediously in speaking or writing: He was always harping on the importance of taking vitamin supplements.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English harpe, Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp, German Harfe, Old Norse harpa
before 900; Middle English harpe, Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp, German Harfe, Old Norse harpa
Related forms
harp·like, adjective
un·harped, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To harp
Collins
World English Dictionary
harp (hɑːp) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a large triangular plucked stringed instrument consisting of a soundboard connected to an upright pillar by means of a curved crossbar from which the strings extend downwards. The strings are tuned diatonically and may be raised in pitch either one or two semitones by the use of pedals (double-action harp). Basic key: B major; range: nearly seven octaves |
| 2. | something resembling this, esp in shape |
| 3. | an informal name (esp in pop music) for harmonica |
| —vb | |
| 4. | (intr) to play the harp |
| 5. | archaic (tr) to speak; utter; express |
| 6. | (intr; |
| [Old English hearpe; related to Old Norse harpa, Old High German harfa, Latin corbis basket, Russian korobit to warp] | |
| 'harper | |
| —n | |
| 'harpist | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
harp
O.E. hearpe, from P.Gmc. *kharpon- (cf. O.N. harpa, Du. harp, O.H.G. harpfa). L.L. harpa, source of words in some Romanic languages, is a borrowing from P.Gmc. The verb is O.E. hearpian. Figurative sense of "talk overmuch about" first recorded 1510s, originally to harp upon one string. Related: Harped;
harping. The harp seal (1784) is so called for the harp-shaped markings on its back.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
| HARP Health Administration Responsibility Project |
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Harp definition
(Heb. kinnor), the national instrument of the Hebrews. It was invented by Jubal (Gen. 4:21). Some think the word _kinnor_ denotes the whole class of stringed instruments. It was used as an accompaniment to songs of cheerfulness as well as of praise to God (Gen. 31:27; 1 Sam. 16:23; 2 Chr. 20:28; Ps. 33:2; 137:2). In Solomon's time harps were made of almug-trees (1 Kings 10:11, 12). In 1 Chr. 15:21 mention is made of "harps on the Sheminith;" Revised Version, "harps set to the Sheminith;" better perhaps "harps of eight strings." The soothing effect of the music of the harp is referred to 1 Sam. 16:16, 23; 18:10; 19:9. The church in heaven is represented as celebrating the triumphs of the Redeemer "harping with their harps" (Rev. 14:2).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
Cymbals crashed, harp runs flew up, the violins soared.
The picture of the living room, with a piano and a harp, really caught his eye.
All you did was harp on about your unrelated agenda.
Often the chieftain himself took up the harp and sang, perhaps a little boastfully, of great deeds.
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