harp

[hahrp] /hɑrp/

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

before 900; Middle English harpe, Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp, German Harfe, Old Norse harpa

Related forms

harplike, adjective

unharped, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for harp on

harp

/hɑːp/

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

(intransitive) to play the harp

(transitive) (archaic) to speak; utter; express

(intransitive; foll by on or upon) to speak or write in a persistent and tedious manner

Derived Forms

harper, harpist, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for harp on

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 on in Culture

harp definition

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.

Slang definitions & phrases for harp on

harp

noun

An Irish person or one of Irish descent (1904+)
A harmonica (1887+)
Phencyclidine or PCP, a narcotic (1990s+ Narcotics)

Related Abbreviations for harp on

HARP

Health Administration Responsibility Project

harp on in the Bible

(Heb. kinnor), the national instrument of the Hebrews. It was invented by Jubal (Gen. 4:21). Some think the word _kinnor_ denotes the whole class of stringed instruments. It was used as an accompaniment to songs of cheerfulness as well as of praise to God (Gen. 31:27; 1 Sam. 16:23; 2 Chr. 20:28; Ps. 33:2; 137:2). In Solomon's time harps were made of almug-trees (1 Kings 10:11, 12). In 1 Chr. 15:21 mention is made of "harps on the Sheminith;" Revised Version, "harps set to the Sheminith;" better perhaps "harps of eight strings." The soothing effect of the music of the harp is referred to 1 Sam. 16:16, 23; 18:10; 19:9. The church in heaven is represented as celebrating the triumphs of the Redeemer "harping with their harps" (Rev. 14:2).

Idioms and Phrases with harp on

harp on

Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent. For example, She kept harping on the fact that she had no household help at all. This expression is a shortening of harp on the same string, meaning “to play the same note over and over.” It was first recorded in 1518.