harping

[hahr-ping] Origin

harp·ing

[hahr-ping]
noun Shipbuilding.
any of several horizontal members at the ends of a vessel for holding cant frames in position until the shell planking or plating is attached.
Also, har·pin [hahr-pin] , harp·ins [hahr-pinz] .


Origin:
1620–30; perhaps harp + -ing1

un·harp·ing, adjective

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Harping is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

harp

[hahrp]
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.
EXPAND
6.
South Midland and Southern U.S. a mouth harp; harmonica.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
7.
to play on a harp.
8.
harp on/upon, 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

harp·like, adjective
un·harped, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To harping
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;
EXPAND
harping. The harp seal (1784) is so called for the harp-shaped markings on its back.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

harp definition


An instrument in the string section of the orchestra. The orchestral harp is several feet tall and has pedals that allow the harpist to change the key of the instrument as necessary.

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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