harpings

British  

/ ˈhɑːpɪŋz, ˈhɑːpɪnz /

plural noun

1. nautical wooden members used for strengthening the bow of a vessel

2. shipbuilding wooden supports used in construction

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Etymology

Origin of harpings

C17: perhaps related to French harpe cramp iron

Example Sentences

Land-locked Oklahoma tired of his harpings long before he was transferred to the Ways & Means Committee.

From Time Magazine Archive

But even these harpings did not seem to damage the Couzens popularity in Michigan at first.

From Time Magazine Archive

Harpings in the bow of a vessel are decried as rendering the ship uneasy.—Cat harpings.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

Let her be contented with her Grimods and oysters, and leave Julia to listen to the harpings of Apollo in peace.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 357, June, 1845 by Various

Hark, hark to the words of sweet fashion, the harpings of yore!

From Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume I. by Ingelow, Jean