Harp

Definition of Harp

Pronunciation: härpt

n.

1.

A musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame furnished with strings and sometimes with pedals, held upright, and played with the fingers.

2.

(Astron.) A constellation; Lyra, or the Lyre.

3.

Æolian harp
See under Æolian.

Harp seal
(Zool.) an arctic seal (Phoca Grœnlandica). The adult males have a light-colored body, with a harp-shaped mark of black on each side, and the face and throat black. Called also saddler, and saddleback. The immature ones are called bluesides; their fur is white, and they are killed and skinned to harvest the fur.

Harp shell
(Zool.) a beautiful marine gastropod shell of the genus Harpa, of several species, found in tropical seas. See Harpa.

v. i.

1.

To play on the harp.

[imp. & p. p. Harped (härpt) p. pr. & vb. n. Harping.]

I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps.

- Rev. xiv. 2.

2.

To dwell on or recur to a subject tediously or monotonously in speaking or in writing; to refer to something repeatedly or continually; - usually with on or upon.

Harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was.

- Shak.

To harp on one string
to dwell upon one subject with disagreeable or wearisome persistence.

v. t.

1.

To play on, as a harp; to play (a tune) on the harp; to develop or give expression to by skill and art; to sound forth as from a harp; to hit upon.

Thou 'st harped my fear aright.

- Shak.

Related Words

French harp, Irish harp, aeolian harp, cithara, clarsach, dulcimer, harmonica, harmonicon, heptachord, hexachord, kazoo, langspiel, lyre, mouth bow, mouth harp, mouth organ, polychord, symphonia, zither

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Harmonics
Harmonious
Harmoniphon
Harmonist
Harmonium
harmonizable
Harmonization
Harmonize
Harmonizer
Harmonometer
Harmony
Harmony of the spheres
Harmost
Harmotome
Harness
Harness cask
Harnessed antelope
Harnessed moth
Harnesser
Harns
-Harp-
Harp seal
Harp shell
Harpa
Harpagon
Harper
Harping
Harping iron
Harpings
Harpist
Harpoon
Harpoon fork
Harpoon gun
Harpooneer
Harpooner
Harpress
Harpsichon
Harpsichord
harpsichordist
harpulla
harpullia

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