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
Words Nearby harp
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use harp in a sentence
You would see this young, beautiful man and an orchestra, then you would see a jazz trio and a harp.
Revisiting ‘The Visitors’: An oral history of Ragnar Kjartansson’s multimedia masterpiece | Sebastian Smee, Gabriel Florit, Joanne Lee | July 23, 2021 | Washington PostLento The harp is having a moment right now, and I am very much here for it.
Beyond Vivaldi, a classical playlist to bring on the spring | Michael Andor Brodeur | April 2, 2021 | Washington PostFor other captions, such as “a snail made of harp,” the results are less good, with images that combine snails and harps in odd ways.
This avocado armchair could be the future of AI | Will Heaven | January 5, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewYou’re going to want to hear his harp take on Notorious BIG’s “Big Poppa,” and read how the 26-year-old launched a classical response to George Floyd’s death.
Others described it as sounding like a broken harp or lyre string.
Imagine traveling to the moon only to realize you’re allergic to it. One astronaut did. | PopSci Staff | November 25, 2020 | Popular-Science
They often harp on the indiscretion, such as an affair, and not the larger picture.
Why Do Voters Stick With Hypocrites Like Scott DesJarlais? | Keli Goff | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“My job was to assess their fear and then harp on that fear, capitalize on that fear and get them to buy,” said Maddox, 33.
‘Degree Mills’ Are Exploiting Veterans and Making Millions Off the GI Bill | Aaron Glantz | June 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI've been harping on this theme for nearly a decade now, and now it's time to harp again.
Later he started playing classical guitar and then the harp.
Shooting the Stars With Fashion Photographers Markus and Indrani | Abigail Pesta | November 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThrough March 2012, harp was only permitted to refinance mortgages that were up to 125 percent of the value of a home.
New Data Shows HARP Mortgage Refinance Program Is Finally Working | Matthew Zeitlin | October 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe mirth of timbrels hath ceased, the noise of them that rejoice is ended, the melody of the harp is silent.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousWherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for the brick wall.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousPerhaps in the full fruition of your genius your music, like the warm western wind to the harp, may bring life to her soul.
The Fifth String | John Philip SousaThere's Raphael singing, Gabriel accompanying him on the harp, and all the angels flapping their wings to express their joy.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'RellThe world was strung with them like a harp, and upon them the wind played a monotonous refrain.
The Dragon Painter | Mary McNeil Fenollosa
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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