HARP • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Harp

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/hɑrp/ Listen

noun

Harp 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.

A grain sieve. (Scot.)

Aeolian harp. See under Aeolian.

Harp seal (Zool.), an arctic seal (Phoca Groenlandica). 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.

verb

Harp v. t. 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."

Harp v. i. (past & past part. harped; pres. part. harping)

1.

To play on the harp. "I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps."

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. "Harpings upon old themes." "Harping on what I am, Not what he knew I was."

To harp on one string, to dwell upon one subject with disagreeable or wearisome persistence. (Colloq.)

See images of 'Harp'

Etymology of 'Harp'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Harp" Quotes from Famous Books

... countenance, enveloped her form; her teeth were so new and bright that they appeared like pearls artistically set in her gums; like the ripe berry of the mountain ash were her lips; sweeter was her voice than the notes of the gentle harp-strings when touched by the most skillful fingers, and emitting the most enchanting melody; whiter than the snow of one night was her skin, and beautiful to behold were her garments, which reached to her well ...

— Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 4 (of 6) • Havelock Ellis

... these ultimate beliefs to their source. In short, just as a written constitution is essential to the best social order, so a code of finalities is a necessary condition of profitable talk between two persons. Talking is like playing on the harp; there is as much in laying the hand on the strings to stop their vibrations as in twanging them to bring ...

— The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. I, No. 1, Nov. 1857 • Various

... I born, and ye, The sea-wind and the sea, Made all my soul in me A song for ever, A harp to string and smite For love's sake of the bright Wind and the sea's delight, ...

— Poems & Ballads (Second Series) - Swinburne's Poems Volume III • Algernon Charles Swinburne

... same air, the touch, etc., but I never expressly said I loved her. Indeed I did not know myself why I liked so much to loiter behind with her when returning in the evening from our labours; why the tones of her voice made my heartstrings thrill like an Aeolian harp; and particularly why my pulse beat such a furious ratan, when I looked and fingered over her little hand to pick out the cruel nettle-stings and thistles. Among her other love-inspiring qualities, she sung sweetly; and it was her favourite ...

— Stories of Achievement, Volume IV (of 6) - Authors and Journalists • Various

... of the people and their splendid spirit—making a dreamland where even man was perfect. How she loved it! How proud she was to feel that in part it was her country. Faithfully would she serve it. Oh, Susanna West! I 'd like to shake you till your harp snapped a string. It 's like sending a baby to pick flowers on the ...

— The Lady and Sada San - A Sequel to The Lady of the Decoration • Frances Little

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