harp
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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a vertical metal frame shaped to bend around the bulb in a standing lamp and used to support a lamp shade.
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Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Irish birth or descent.
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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.
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South Midland and Southern U.S. a mouth harp; harmonica.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
noun
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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
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something resembling this, esp in shape
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an informal name (esp in pop music) for harmonica
verb
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(intr) to play the harp
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archaic (tr) to speak; utter; express
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(intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write in a persistent and tedious manner
Other Word Forms
- harper noun
- harplike adjective
- unharped adjective
Etymology
Origin of harp
before 900; Middle English harpe, Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp, German Harfe, Old Norse harpa
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Auburn’s circles, spirits began performing all kinds of miracles, from flipping hats and playing the harp to suggesting appropriate medicines for sick relatives.
From Literature
People just vote the way that they vote so it’s not a thing that I harp on.
From Los Angeles Times
The only sound was the soft tinkling of the harp.
From Literature
Mr. Schlosberg conducted from the keyboard; his orchestration for three winds, three strings and harp had his usual flair for exactly the right instrument and texture at the right time.
Levito is loving the experience so much that she won’t even harp on the fact that she briefly battled food poisoning.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
