harp

[hahrp]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR harp ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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 English harpe, Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp, German Harfe, Old Norse harpa

Related formsharp·like, adjectiveun·harped, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for harp

dwell, reiterate, repeat

Examples from the Web for harp

Contemporary Examples of harp

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
“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
I've been harping on this theme for nearly a decade now, and now it's time to harp again.
America's European Allies Drop the Ball
David Frum
May 2, 2013
Later he started playing classical guitar and then the harp.
Shooting the Stars With Fashion Photographers Markus and Indrani
Abigail Pesta
November 25, 2012
Through 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

Historical Examples of harp

So he invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
The bard had come to see whether the stories about the harp were true or not.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
So word was passed for Allan, and presently he came, bringing his harp.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Howard Pyle
Orpheus went into the woods one day and took nothing but his harp with him.
Classic Myths
Mary Catherine Judd

British Dictionary definitions for harp

harp

noun

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

verb

(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

Derived Formsharper or harpist, noun

Word Origin for harp

Old English hearpe; related to Old Norse harpa, Old High German harfa, Latin corbis basket, Russian korobit to warp

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

Word Origin and History for harp

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.

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.

harp in Culture

harp

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.