harp
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.
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.
a vertical metal frame shaped to bend around the bulb in a standing lamp and used to support a lamp shade.
Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Irish birth or descent.
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.
South Midland and Southern U.S. a mouth harp; harmonica.
to play on a harp.
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 of harp
1Other words from harp
- harplike, adjective
- un·harped, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use harp in a sentence
This era, artistically speaking, harped on Greco-Roman mythology, with masculinity steeped in classical heroism.
‘Masculin/Masculin,’ a Retrospective of Male Nudity in Art, Opens in Paris | Sarah Moroz | September 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHe continually harped on the need to let people keep more of the money they own.
Rick Scott & Rick Perry: A Tale of Two Ricks in Palm Beach | Daniel Gross | April 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST"Non-violent," he exclaimed, reprising a theme he'd harped on at Bab al-Shams.
Like all race hustlers, the fighter harped on things that were half-truths but a partial truth is never a complete lie.
The contents harped upon the same string which Richie Moniplies had already jarred.
The Fortunes of Nigel | Sir Walter Scott
She harped upon this belief incessantly as they finally drove back to the big house.
Six Little Bunkers at Mammy June's | Laura Lee HopeLittle Freddy harped upon it all day long, and so did his brother and sister.
The Doctor's Family | Mrs. (Margaret) OliphantAnd he came before the king and queen of that realm, and harped so sweetly that the king promised him whatever he might ask.
The Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-night's Dream' | Compiled by Frank SidgwickShe still harped on Oxford; on which, however, it was impossible to say any thing to please her.
British Dictionary definitions for harp
/ (hɑːp) /
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
something resembling this, esp in shape
an informal name (esp in pop music) for harmonica
(intr) to play the harp
(tr) archaic to speak; utter; express
(intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write in a persistent and tedious manner
Origin of harp
1Derived forms of harp
- harper or harpist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for harp
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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