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.
verb (used without object)
to play on a harp.
Verb Phrases
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
before 900;Middle Englishharpe,Old Englishhearpe; cognate with Dutchharp,GermanHarfe,Old Norseharpa
Related formsharp·like, adjectiveun·harped, adjective
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
Old English hearpe, from Proto-Germanic *kharpon- (cf. Old Saxon harpa "instrument of torture;" Old Norse harpa, Dutch harp, Old High German harpfa, German Harfe "harp"). Late Latin harpa, source of words in some Romanic languages, is a borrowing from Germanic. Meaning "harmonica" is from 1887, short for mouth-harp. The harp seal (1784) is so called for the harp-shaped markings on its back.
v.
Old English hearpian; see harp (n.). Cognate with Middle Dutch, Dutch harpen, Middle High German harpfen, German harfen. Figurative sense of "talk overmuch" (about something) first recorded mid-15c., originally to harp upon one string. Related: Harped; harping.
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.
