harpn.¹

Brit.

/hɑːp/, U.S.

/hɑrp/

Forms: Old English hearpe, ( hærpe), (Middle English herpe, Middle English hearpe), Middle English–1600s harpe, Middle English– harp.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English hearpe = Old Low German *harpa, Middle Dutch harpe (Dutch harp), Old High German harpha, harfa, (German harfe), Old Norse, Swedish harpa, Danish harpe < Old Germanic *harpôn-. Thence late Latin harpa and derived Romanic words.

a. A stringed musical instrument, which, in its usual form, consists of a framework of wood fitted with a series of strings of definite lengths which are played with the fingers, (or, in some earlier types, with a plectrum). Also spec. one used by Anglo-Saxon minstrels. The modern harp is roughly triangular in form and furnished with pedals for raising the tone of the strings by a semitone, in double-action harps by two semitones.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun]

harpc825

glee-beamOE

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > Anglo-Saxon harp

harp1767

c825 Vesp. Psalter xxxii[i]. 2 In hearpan ten strenga singað him.

c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxi. 27 Mid timpanum and mid hearpum.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 97 He [David] on ȝeoȝoþe herpan lufede.

c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 23/127 Þe harpe he heng vp bi þe wouh.

1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. iv. 21 Tubal..was the fadre of syngerys in harp and orgon.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xcvi[i]. 5 Prayse the Lorde vpon the harpe, synge to the harpe with a psalme of thanksgeuynge.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 258 They..touch't thir Golden Harps .

1767 T. Percy Ess. Anc. Minstrels 9 In the early times it was not unusual for a Minstrel to have a servant to carry his harp.

1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. viii. 301 Our pleasures are the feast, the harp, the dance.

1807 J. Robinson Archæol. Græca ii. xvii. 174 The harp originally consisted of four strings, to which Terpander added other three.

1807 S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Saxons (ed. 2) II. 407 Of the harp, Bede mentions, that in all festive companies it was handed round, that every one might sing in turn.

1889 J. Ruskin Præterita III. iv. 166 The harp is the true ancient instrument of Scotland, as well as of Ireland.

1898 S. A. Brooke Eng. Lit. fr. Beginnings to Norman Conquest iv. 82 We should place ourselves..in the hall..when the benches are filled..and hear the Shaper strike the harp to sing this heroic lay.

1903 L. F. Anderson Anglo-Saxon Scop 36 The harp was the instrument most used by the scop.

1942 J. C. Pope Rhythm of Beowulf 91 If the harp were keeping time, the voice might omit the first accent of a verse..without causing the slightest confusion.

1957 Rev. Eng. Stud. 8 7 The clear song of the bard is accompanied by the music of the harp.

figurative.1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 12 Where Cowley strung His living Harp.1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 325 Man is a harp whose chords elude the sight, Each yielding harmony, disposed aright.1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 747 Sweet is the harp of prophecy.1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 95 Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might.

b. double harp: one having two sets or rows of strings differently tuned. triple harp: one with three such sets. Æolian harp: see Aeolian adj. 2a.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > other harps

double harp1552

Welsh harp?1589

shepherd's harp1688

French harp1785

pedal harp1786

koto1795

kora1799

langspiel1821

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Double harpe, called a roote, barbitos.

1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 220/2 The double harp (arpa doppia) with two rows of strings is less inconvenient but equally imperfect; all alterations of the pitch of the strings having to be made with the thumb.

c. A representation of a harp.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [noun] > an artistic representation > others

quathriganc1175

starc1384

yoke1415

sheafc1420

arrow1548

thunder-dart1569

memento mori1598

quadriga1600

Triton1601

anchor1621

chimera1634

forest-work1647

Bacchanaliaa1680

Bacchanal1753

subject1781

harp1785

mask1790

arrowhead1808

gorgoneion1842

Amazonomachia1845

Amazonomachy1893

mythograph1893

physicomorph1895

horns of consecration1901

double image1939

motion study1977

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > representation of harp

harp1785

1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) Harp is also the Irish expression for woman, or tail, used in tossing up in Ireland, from Hibernia being represented with a harp, on the reverse of the copper coins of that country.

1843 Q. Rev. Sept. 586 A small volume under the title of the ‘Spirit of the Nation’, with a vignette emblem of the harp without the Crown.

1873 C. Boutell Heraldry Anc. & Mod. 158 Harp..headed with the upper part of a winged angel—originally called a Welsh harp. It is the national device of Ireland, and it is borne in the Irish quarter of the Royal arms.

d. = mouth organ n., harmonica. Cf. mouth-harp n. 1. colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > woodwind instruments > [noun] > reed instrument > harmonica or mouth-organ

aeolina1829

French harp1855

mouth organ1866

mouth-harp1876

harmonica1880

harp1887

mouth music1887

moothie1936

1887 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 481/1 She displayed a flimsy red silk handkerchief and a child's harp.

1903 G. Ade In Babel 40 I'd walked from Loueyville over to Terry Hut with a nigger that played the mouth harp.

1963 Amer. Speech 38 246 Harp or mouth harp ‘harmonica’.

1965 Melody Maker 10 July 12/6 For the best blues sound you have to..play the harp in a transposed manner.

e. An Irishman. U.S. slang.

ΘΚΠ

the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > the Irish > [noun] > native or inhabitant of Ireland

IrishmanOE

Ireis1297

hooded mana1464

Mac1518

Irish1553

Teague?1661

bog-trotter1682

Milesian1682

dear joy1688

Teaguelander1689

paddy1714

bog-lander1736

bog-stalkera1758

brogueneer1758

paddywhack1773

Pat1796

West Briton1805

Irisher1807

Patlander1820

Greek1823

Mick1850

redneck1852

Grecian1853

mickeyc1854

Mike1859

harp1904

1904 ‘No. 1500’ Life in Sing Sing xiii. 249/1 Harp, an Irishman.

1926 T. Beer Mauve Decade iv. 162 I sewed up his head for a young Italamerican who had been trying to impress the haughty Harps on his street.

1936 J. Dos Passos Big Money 75 The foreman was a big loudmouthed harp.

†2. to agree (etc.) like harp and harrow: not to agree at all (the things being utterly different, though their names alliterate). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous [verb (intransitive)]

missounda1382

discordc1384

disaccorda1500

disagreea1513

disgree1530

miscord1532

to agree (etc.) like harp and harrow1563

antipathizec1630

to jump awry1762

disharmonize1863

1563 T. Becon Displaying Popish Masse (1637) 299 The Lords Supper and your peevish, popish private masse doe agree together..as the common proverbe is, like harpe and harrow, or like the hare and the hound.

1624 T. Gataker Discuss. Transubstant. 203 These things hang together like harp and harrow, as they say.

1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical iii. 34 Bedlam..whether the Name and Thing be not as disagreeable as Harp and Harrow?

3. The northern constellation Lyra.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > constellation > Northern constellations > [noun] > Lyra

harp1556

vulture1639

lyra1658

lyre1868

1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 264 An other constellation, whiche is called the Harpe.

1697 T. Creech tr. Manilius Five Bks. v. xviii. 67 Next shines the Harp.

1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 225/2 Lyra (the Harp), one of the old constellations, representing the lyre of Mercury..or of Orpheus.

†4. The name given to two Irish coins bearing the figure of a harp.

a. = harp-groat n. at Compounds 2. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun]

harp1543

harp-groat1543

harped groata1549

rose pence1556

smulkinc1571

harp-shilling1591

harper1598

patrick1673

thirteenc1720

fourpence-halfpenny1723

thirteener1762

tenpenny1822

thirteen-penny1828

sun groat1861

twenty-pence piece1981

1543 R. Record Ground of Artes i. sig. M.vii Then is there an other Grote called a Harpe, which goeth for 3d.

1561 Proclam. in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. iii. 122 The said pece called the Reade Harpe shalbe taken and receyved onely for and at two pence currant of this realme.

b. Short for harp-shilling n. at Compounds 2 and harper n.¹ 2. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1606 J. Rowley in Lismore Papers (1887) 2nd Ser. I. 90 I..desired you to be pleased to make me over 100^li in harpes.

5. Applied to various mechanical contrivances:

a. A screen or sieve used in sifting and cleansing grain from weed-seeds, etc. Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > [noun] > sieving > sieve or riddle

riddereOE

riddlelOE

boultel1266

temse?1362

reeing-sieve1378

bolt-clothc1425

bolt-pokec1440

bulstarec1440

bigg-riddle1446

oat riddle1446

bolting-tunc1485

bolter1530

bolting-tub1530

bolting-pipe1534

bolting-poke1552

gingerbread temse?1562

bolting-hutch1598

reeving-sieve1613

hutch1619

temzer1696

ree1728

oat-ridder1743

harp1788

bunt1796

bolting-machine1808

sowens-say1825

slap-riddle1844

bolt1847

flour-bolt1874

purifier1884

flour-bolter1888

plansifter1905

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > [noun] > sieve

sievec725

riddereOE

hair-sievea1100

riddlelOE

sift1499

try?a1500

searcer1540

range-sieve1542

ranging sieve1548

cribble1565

cribe1570

screen1573

sifter1611

scryc1615

clensieve1623

cernicle1657

incernicle1657

ranch-sievea1665

duster1667

drum1702

fry1707

harp1788

lawn-sieve1804

trial1825

separator1830

lawn1853

shaker1906

chinois1937

microscreen1959

1788 Meikle Brit. Patent 1645 Harp for separating the straw from the corn.

1830 Mechanics' Mag. 14 162 The year following [1795] he introduced..what he denominated plain harps, to receive the straw as it fell from the shaker and give it also a shaking motion.

b. An oblong frame filled up with parallel wires and used as a screen for sifting sand, coal, etc. Scottish.

ΚΠ

1768 Specif. Patent 896 A wire harpe which sifts out all the gross sand, dust, small wheat, etc.

1897 Alloa Jrnl. 24 July 3 He was threatening [him] for not giving him his harp (a riddle for coals).

Categories »

c. Cotton Manufacture. ‘A concave grating in a scutching-machine through which the refuse falls as the cotton is driven forward by the revolving beater’ (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. 1875).

6. Also harp-shell: A mollusc of the genus Harpa of family Buccinidæ, and its shell.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Siphonostomata > family Buccinidae > genus or member of genus Harpa

harp-shell1752

lyra1753

1752 J. Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. III. 150 Harp Shell.

1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 455/2 The genus [Harpa]..is more especially abundant at the Mauritius and the neighbouring islands, whence the finest of the more common species and the many-ribbed harps are procured.

1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 455/2 The most precious..is the Many-ribbed Harp (Harpa imperialis).

1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 373 The general colours are tolerably similar throughout the Harps, but each species always preserves its peculiar individuality.

1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 377 The Harp-shells are only found in the hottest seas.

7. Also harp-seal: The Greenland seal: so called from the harp-shaped dark marking on the back.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Pinnipedia (seal, sea lion, or walrus) > [noun] > family Phocidae > genus phoca > phoca groenlandica (harp-seal)

bedlamer1773

harp-seal1784

saddleback1856

saddler1873

1784 T. Pennant Arctic Zool. I. i. 165 The Newfoundland Seal-hunters call it the Harp, or Heart Seal, and name the marks on the sides the saddle.

1847 W. B. Carpenter Zool.: Systematic Acct. I. §202 The Greenland, or Harp Seal, is remarkable for the changes of colour which it undergoes.

1854 Chambers's Jrnl. 1 76 Four varieties..the young harp and young hood, the old harp and the bedlamer, or old hood.

1885 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 25 Apr. 2/3 Steamer Ranger..returned to St. John's with 35,600 prime young harps.

Compounds

C1. General attributive. Also harp-string n.

harp-form n.

harp-maker n.

ΚΠ

?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vj Harpe makers, leches, and vpholsters.

harp-note n.

ΚΠ

1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain i. v. 20 Had a harp-note sounded here, It had caught my watchful ear.

harp-player n.

harp-solo n.

harp-twanging n.

harp-woman n.

harp-fingering adj.

harp-like adj.

harp-shaped adj.

harp-wise adv.

ΚΠ

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §223 You may try it without any sound board along, but only Harp~wise, at one end of the strings.

C2.

harp-file n. a wire hook for filing papers, attached to a harp-shaped piece of iron (Funk).

harp-fish n. a fish of the genus Lyra, the Piper.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Scorpaeniformes (scorpion-fish) > [noun] > family Triglidae (gurnards) > genus Trigla > trigla lyra (piper)

piper1585

piper fish1585

sea-hen1611

sea-poult1658

werrell1658

harp-fish1661

lyra1706

lyre-fish1884

1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 233 Harp fish hath a hard and dry flesh, yet sweet enough if eaten boiled with vinegar.

1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Lyra The lyra cornuta or horned harp fish..a fish of an octangular form, covered all over with long scales.

† harp-groat n. Obsolete an Irish coin having the figure of a harp on the reverse.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun]

harp1543

harp-groat1543

harped groata1549

rose pence1556

smulkinc1571

harp-shilling1591

harper1598

patrick1673

thirteenc1720

fourpence-halfpenny1723

thirteener1762

tenpenny1822

thirteen-penny1828

sun groat1861

twenty-pence piece1981

1543 in O'Curry Mann. Anc. Irish (1873) III. 274 An hundred pounds sterling in harp grotes.

harp-lute n. (see quot.).

ΚΠ

1861 J. S. Adams 5000 Mus. Terms Harp-Lute, an instrument having twelve strings and resembling the guitar.

harp-master n.

ΚΠ

1819 F. MacDonogh Hermit in London II. 185 That gentleman is my daughter's harp-master.

harp-mistress n. a teacher of harp-playing.

ΚΠ

1852 M. R. Mitford Recoll. II. 101 The dismissal of the poor little harp-mistress.

harp-seal n. see sense 7.

harp-shell n. see sense 6.

† harp-shilling n. Obsolete an Irish coin having the figure of a harp on the reverse: see harper n.¹ 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun]

harp1543

harp-groat1543

harped groata1549

rose pence1556

smulkinc1571

harp-shilling1591

harper1598

patrick1673

thirteenc1720

fourpence-halfpenny1723

thirteener1762

tenpenny1822

thirteen-penny1828

sun groat1861

twenty-pence piece1981

1591 Fearf. Effects 2 Comets (Halliw.) Harpe shillings shall not passe for twelvepence.

a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) iii. sig. F2^v What shal I bee then, faithe a plaine harpe shilling.

† harp-star n. Obsolete Vega, the chief star in Lyra.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > star > kind of star > small star > [noun] > dwarf > Vega

Vega1594

harp-star1601

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xviii. xxvi. 590 The Dolphin star riseth in the morning, and the morrow after, the Harp-star Fidicula.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

harpv.

Etymology: Old English hearpian, < harp n.¹ Compare Middle Dutch, Dutch harpen, Middle High German harpfen, German harfen.

1. intransitive. To play on a harp.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (intransitive)] > play harp

harpc888

citharize1623

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §6 He mihte hearpian þæt þe wudu wagode.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10134 He cuðen harpien [c1300 Otho harpi] wel an his child-haden.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 405 Many hundreth of angeles harpeden and songen.

a1500 Tale of Basin in M. M. Furrow Ten 15th-cent. Comic Poems (1985) 57 He harpys and gytryns, and syngs wel þertoo.

1645 J. Milton On Christ's Nativity: Hymn xi, in Poems 6 The helmed Cherubim And sworded Seraphim..Harping in loud and solemn quire.

1879 S. H. Butcher & A. Lang tr. Homer Odyssey 208 Among them harped the divine minstrel Demodocus.

2. figurative. to harp upon, on (†of), a, one, the same (etc.) string: to repeat a statement or dwell on a subject to a wearisome or tedious length.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > repetition > repeat [verb (intransitive)] > dwell on something

to harp upon, on (of), a, one, the same (etc.) string?1531

to sing the same (or one) song1551

chant1572

ding1582

to go on1863

to keep on1907

riff1952

the mind > emotion > suffering > feeling of weariness or tedium > be or become wearied or bored [verb (intransitive)] > be or become wearisome or tedious > specifically by tedious or repetitive talk

to harp upon, on (of), a, one, the same (etc.) string?1531

to bore (any one's) ears1641

to —— a person's head off1829

?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye i. sig. c5 Se how he harpeth all of one stringe.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 49/2 The Cardinall made a countinance to the tother Lord, that he should harpe no more vpon that string.

1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 7 They are sure still harping on their old string.

1685 H. More Some Cursory Reflexions upon Baxter 25 He harps much upon that jarring String.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. vi. 323 Harping mainly on the religious string.

a. Hence, to harp on, upon, (†of, about): to dwell wearisomely upon in speech or writing.

ΚΠ

1562 Apol. Priv. Masse (1850) 19 The great matter you harp on.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 189 Still harping on my daughter.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 103 This word reuenge he still harpt vpon.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 504. ⁋2 Ever harping upon things they ought not to allude to.

1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 332 Still harping of her father.

b. harp on (intr.): to continue harping.

ΚΠ

1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain ii. xii. 465 ‘It would be a comfort,’ harped on Mr. Rivers, dwelling on the subject.

†4.

a. transitive. To play (notes, etc.) upon a harp. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp > play (music) on

harpc1330

c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 572 He..harpeþ notes swete.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7430 Harpand a sang bifor þe king.

1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 172 b/1 An harpe on whiche..he wold harpe anthemes.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. xiv. 7 Howe shall it be knowen what is pyped or harped?

1777 T. Warton Ode x. Poems 67 A tale..Never yet in rime enroll'd, Nor sung, nor harp'd in hall and bower.

b. To render in verse, to ‘sing’.

ΚΠ

1807 J. Barlow Columbiad viii. 297 What avails To harp for you these known familiar tales?

†5.

a. transitive. To play upon, twang (a string, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > pluck

harp1629

twitch1669

plunk1808

pick1848

pluck1873

tirl1882

1629 J. Gaule Practique Theories Christs Predict. 44 The Promise made, the Prophets harpe the string.

b. figurative (intransitive). To ‘play’ (upon). rare.

ΚΠ

1830 T. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. Jan. 231 They fear the orators who harp upon the bad passions of the people.

6. intransitive. To make a sound like that of the harp.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > other resonant sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > of string

twang1567

harp1657

plunk1894

1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 59 Yet shall you hear them if you listen in an evening harping like Mise (as if Mise were gnawing on every side).

1823 Ld. Byron Island ii. xviii. 39 No dying night-breeze, harping o'er the hill.

a. transitive. To give voice to, to guess.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > conjecture, guess [verb (transitive)]

readOE

ettlec1275

divine1362

areadc1374

conjectc1374

aima1382

imaginec1405

supposec1405

imagine1477

conjecture1530

guessa1535

harpa1616

foreguess1640

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 90 Thou hast harp'd my feare aright.

1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iv, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 100 The old dame had..harped aright the fear of the Lord Keeper.

1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus ii. i. 68 Thou hast harp'd the truth indeed!

†b. intransitive. to harp at: To guess at. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > form conjectures, guess [verb (intransitive)]

divine1362

supposea1393

conjecta1425

guessc1535

rove1551

level1580

conjecture1587

to harp at1611

to venture at1623

to make a shot1840

reach1952

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Taston Parler à taston, to speake by ghesse or coniecture, onely to harpe at the matter.

1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. iv. 178 Rugged names of places unknown, better harp'd at in Camden, and other Chorographers.

8. transitive. To bring out of, into, a place or state by playing on the harp.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)] > by music

harp1528

pipe1673

society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp > bring out of, into, etc., by harping

harp1528

1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. Bii^v At his resurrection he harped out of hell Olde patriarkes & prophetes in heuen with him to dwell.

a1800 Glenkindie in Jamieson Pop. Ballads (1806) I. 91 He'd harpit a fish out o' saut water, Or water out o' a stane.

1828 P. Buchan Anc. Ballads & Songs N. Scotl. II. 201 He's harped them all asleep.

1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in Gareth & Lynette 110 He could harp his wife up out of hell.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	harp
释义	harpn.¹ Brit. /hɑːp/, U.S. /hɑrp/ Forms: Old English hearpe, ( hærpe), (Middle English herpe, Middle English hearpe), Middle English–1600s harpe, Middle English– harp. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English hearpe = Old Low German harpa, Middle Dutch harpe* (Dutch harp), Old High German harpha, harfa, (German harfe), Old Norse, Swedish harpa, Danish harpe < Old Germanic harpôn-. Thence late Latin harpa* and derived Romanic words. 1. a. A stringed musical instrument, which, in its usual form, consists of a framework of wood fitted with a series of strings of definite lengths which are played with the fingers, (or, in some earlier types, with a plectrum). Also spec. one used by Anglo-Saxon minstrels. The modern harp is roughly triangular in form and furnished with pedals for raising the tone of the strings by a semitone, in double-action harps by two semitones. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] harpc825 glee-beamOE society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > Anglo-Saxon harp harp1767 c825 Vesp. Psalter xxxii[i]. 2 In hearpan ten strenga singað him. c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxi. 27 Mid timpanum and mid hearpum. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 97 He [David] on ȝeoȝoþe herpan lufede. c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 23/127 Þe harpe he heng vp bi þe wouh. 1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. iv. 21 Tubal..was the fadre of syngerys in harp and orgon. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xcvi[i]. 5 Prayse the Lorde vpon the harpe, synge to the harpe with a psalme of thanksgeuynge. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 258 They..touch't thir Golden Harps . View more context for this quotation 1767 T. Percy Ess. Anc. Minstrels 9 In the early times it was not unusual for a Minstrel to have a servant to carry his harp. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. viii. 301 Our pleasures are the feast, the harp, the dance. 1807 J. Robinson Archæol. Græca ii. xvii. 174 The harp originally consisted of four strings, to which Terpander added other three. 1807 S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Saxons (ed. 2) II. 407 Of the harp, Bede mentions, that in all festive companies it was handed round, that every one might sing in turn. 1889 J. Ruskin Præterita III. iv. 166 The harp is the true ancient instrument of Scotland, as well as of Ireland. 1898 S. A. Brooke Eng. Lit. fr. Beginnings to Norman Conquest iv. 82 We should place ourselves..in the hall..when the benches are filled..and hear the Shaper strike the harp to sing this heroic lay. 1903 L. F. Anderson Anglo-Saxon Scop 36 The harp was the instrument most used by the scop. 1942 J. C. Pope Rhythm of Beowulf 91 If the harp were keeping time, the voice might omit the first accent of a verse..without causing the slightest confusion. 1957 Rev. Eng. Stud. 8 7 The clear song of the bard is accompanied by the music of the harp. figurative.1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 12 Where Cowley strung His living Harp.1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 325 Man is a harp whose chords elude the sight, Each yielding harmony, disposed aright.1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 747 Sweet is the harp of prophecy.1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 95 Love took up the harp of Life, and smote on all the chords with might. b. double harp: one having two sets or rows of strings differently tuned. triple harp: one with three such sets. Æolian harp: see Aeolian adj. 2a. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > other harps double harp1552 Welsh harp?1589 shepherd's harp1688 French harp1785 pedal harp1786 koto1795 kora1799 langspiel1821 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Double harpe, called a roote, barbitos. 1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 220/2 The double harp (arpa doppia) with two rows of strings is less inconvenient but equally imperfect; all alterations of the pitch of the strings having to be made with the thumb. c. A representation of a harp. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [noun] > an artistic representation > others quathriganc1175 starc1384 yoke1415 sheafc1420 arrow1548 thunder-dart1569 memento mori1598 quadriga1600 Triton1601 anchor1621 chimera1634 forest-work1647 Bacchanaliaa1680 Bacchanal1753 subject1781 harp1785 mask1790 arrowhead1808 gorgoneion1842 Amazonomachia1845 Amazonomachy1893 mythograph1893 physicomorph1895 horns of consecration1901 double image1939 motion study1977 society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > harp or lyre > [noun] > representation of harp harp1785 1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) Harp is also the Irish expression for woman, or tail, used in tossing up in Ireland, from Hibernia being represented with a harp, on the reverse of the copper coins of that country. 1843 Q. Rev. Sept. 586 A small volume under the title of the ‘Spirit of the Nation’, with a vignette emblem of the harp without the Crown. 1873 C. Boutell Heraldry Anc. & Mod. 158 Harp..headed with the upper part of a winged angel—originally called a Welsh harp. It is the national device of Ireland, and it is borne in the Irish quarter of the Royal arms. d. = mouth organ n., harmonica. Cf. mouth-harp n. 1. colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > woodwind instruments > [noun] > reed instrument > harmonica or mouth-organ aeolina1829 French harp1855 mouth organ1866 mouth-harp1876 harmonica1880 harp1887 mouth music1887 moothie1936 1887 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 481/1 She displayed a flimsy red silk handkerchief and a child's harp. 1903 G. Ade In Babel 40 I'd walked from Loueyville over to Terry Hut with a nigger that played the mouth harp. 1963 Amer. Speech 38 246 Harp or mouth harp ‘harmonica’. 1965 Melody Maker 10 July 12/6 For the best blues sound you have to..play the harp in a transposed manner. e. An Irishman. U.S. slang. ΘΚΠ the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > the Irish > [noun] > native or inhabitant of Ireland IrishmanOE Ireis1297 hooded mana1464 Mac1518 Irish1553 Teague?1661 bog-trotter1682 Milesian1682 dear joy1688 Teaguelander1689 paddy1714 bog-lander1736 bog-stalkera1758 brogueneer1758 paddywhack1773 Pat1796 West Briton1805 Irisher1807 Patlander1820 Greek1823 Mick1850 redneck1852 Grecian1853 mickeyc1854 Mike1859 harp1904 1904 ‘No. 1500’ Life in Sing Sing xiii. 249/1 Harp, an Irishman. 1926 T. Beer Mauve Decade iv. 162 I sewed up his head for a young Italamerican who had been trying to impress the haughty Harps on his street. 1936 J. Dos Passos Big Money 75 The foreman was a big loudmouthed harp. †2. to agree (etc.) like harp and harrow: not to agree at all (the things being utterly different, though their names alliterate). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous [verb (intransitive)] missounda1382 discordc1384 disaccorda1500 disagreea1513 disgree1530 miscord1532 to agree (etc.) like harp and harrow1563 antipathizec1630 to jump awry1762 disharmonize1863 1563 T. Becon Displaying Popish Masse (1637) 299 The Lords Supper and your peevish, popish private masse doe agree together..as the common proverbe is, like harpe and harrow, or like the hare and the hound. 1624 T. Gataker Discuss. Transubstant. 203 These things hang together like harp and harrow, as they say. 1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical iii. 34 Bedlam..whether the Name and Thing be not as disagreeable as Harp and Harrow? 3. The northern constellation Lyra. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > constellation > Northern constellations > [noun] > Lyra harp1556 vulture1639 lyra1658 lyre1868 1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 264 An other constellation, whiche is called the Harpe. 1697 T. Creech tr. Manilius Five Bks. v. xviii. 67 Next shines the Harp. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 225/2 Lyra (the Harp), one of the old constellations, representing the lyre of Mercury..or of Orpheus. †4. The name given to two Irish coins bearing the figure of a harp. a. = harp-groat n. at Compounds 2. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun] harp1543 harp-groat1543 harped groata1549 rose pence1556 smulkinc1571 harp-shilling1591 harper1598 patrick1673 thirteenc1720 fourpence-halfpenny1723 thirteener1762 tenpenny1822 thirteen-penny1828 sun groat1861 twenty-pence piece1981 1543 R. Record Ground of Artes i. sig. M.vii Then is there an other Grote called a Harpe, which goeth for 3d. 1561 Proclam. in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. iii. 122 The said pece called the Reade Harpe shalbe taken and receyved onely for and at two pence currant of this realme. b. Short for harp-shilling n. at Compounds 2 and harper n.¹ 2. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1606 J. Rowley in Lismore Papers (1887) 2nd Ser. I. 90 I..desired you to be pleased to make me over 100^li in harpes. 5. Applied to various mechanical contrivances: a. A screen or sieve used in sifting and cleansing grain from weed-seeds, etc. Scottish. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation of grain > [noun] > sieving > sieve or riddle riddereOE riddlelOE boultel1266 temse?1362 reeing-sieve1378 bolt-clothc1425 bolt-pokec1440 bulstarec1440 bigg-riddle1446 oat riddle1446 bolting-tunc1485 bolter1530 bolting-tub1530 bolting-pipe1534 bolting-poke1552 gingerbread temse?1562 bolting-hutch1598 reeving-sieve1613 hutch1619 temzer1696 ree1728 oat-ridder1743 harp1788 bunt1796 bolting-machine1808 sowens-say1825 slap-riddle1844 bolt1847 flour-bolt1874 purifier1884 flour-bolter1888 plansifter1905 the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > sifting > [noun] > sieve sievec725 riddereOE hair-sievea1100 riddlelOE sift1499 try?a1500 searcer1540 range-sieve1542 ranging sieve1548 cribble1565 cribe1570 screen1573 sifter1611 scryc1615 clensieve1623 cernicle1657 incernicle1657 ranch-sievea1665 duster1667 drum1702 fry1707 harp1788 lawn-sieve1804 trial1825 separator1830 lawn1853 shaker1906 chinois1937 microscreen1959 1788 Meikle Brit. Patent 1645 Harp for separating the straw from the corn. 1830 Mechanics' Mag. 14 162 The year following [1795] he introduced..what he denominated plain harps, to receive the straw as it fell from the shaker and give it also a shaking motion. b. An oblong frame filled up with parallel wires and used as a screen for sifting sand, coal, etc. Scottish. ΚΠ 1768 Specif. Patent 896 A wire harpe which sifts out all the gross sand, dust, small wheat, etc. 1897 Alloa Jrnl. 24 July 3 He was threatening [him] for not giving him his harp (a riddle for coals). Categories » c. Cotton Manufacture. ‘A concave grating in a scutching-machine through which the refuse falls as the cotton is driven forward by the revolving beater’ (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. 1875). 6. Also harp-shell: A mollusc of the genus Harpa of family Buccinidæ, and its shell. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Gastropoda > [noun] > superorder Branchifera > order Prosobranchiata > section Siphonostomata > family Buccinidae > genus or member of genus Harpa harp-shell1752 lyra1753 1752 J. Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. III. 150 Harp Shell. 1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 455/2 The genus [Harpa]..is more especially abundant at the Mauritius and the neighbouring islands, whence the finest of the more common species and the many-ribbed harps are procured. 1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 455/2 The most precious..is the Many-ribbed Harp (Harpa imperialis). 1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 373 The general colours are tolerably similar throughout the Harps, but each species always preserves its peculiar individuality. 1863 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) III. 377 The Harp-shells are only found in the hottest seas. 7. Also harp-seal: The Greenland seal: so called from the harp-shaped dark marking on the back. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > order Pinnipedia (seal, sea lion, or walrus) > [noun] > family Phocidae > genus phoca > phoca groenlandica (harp-seal) bedlamer1773 harp-seal1784 saddleback1856 saddler1873 1784 T. Pennant Arctic Zool. I. i. 165 The Newfoundland Seal-hunters call it the Harp, or Heart Seal, and name the marks on the sides the saddle. 1847 W. B. Carpenter Zool.: Systematic Acct. I. §202 The Greenland, or Harp Seal, is remarkable for the changes of colour which it undergoes. 1854 Chambers's Jrnl. 1 76 Four varieties..the young harp and young hood, the old harp and the bedlamer, or old hood. 1885 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 25 Apr. 2/3 Steamer Ranger..returned to St. John's with 35,600 prime young harps. Compounds C1. General attributive. Also harp-string n. a. harp-form n. harp-maker n. ΚΠ ?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vj Harpe makers, leches, and vpholsters. harp-note n. ΚΠ 1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain i. v. 20 Had a harp-note sounded here, It had caught my watchful ear. harp-player n. harp-solo n. harp-twanging n. harp-woman n. b. harp-fingering adj. harp-like adj. harp-shaped adj. c. harp-wise adv. ΚΠ 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §223 You may try it without any sound board along, but only Harp~wise, at one end of the strings. C2. harp-file n. a wire hook for filing papers, attached to a harp-shaped piece of iron (Funk). harp-fish n. a fish of the genus Lyra, the Piper. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Scorpaeniformes (scorpion-fish) > [noun] > family Triglidae (gurnards) > genus Trigla > trigla lyra (piper) piper1585 piper fish1585 sea-hen1611 sea-poult1658 werrell1658 harp-fish1661 lyra1706 lyre-fish1884 1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 233 Harp fish hath a hard and dry flesh, yet sweet enough if eaten boiled with vinegar. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Lyra The lyra cornuta or horned harp fish..a fish of an octangular form, covered all over with long scales. † harp-groat n. Obsolete an Irish coin having the figure of a harp on the reverse. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun] harp1543 harp-groat1543 harped groata1549 rose pence1556 smulkinc1571 harp-shilling1591 harper1598 patrick1673 thirteenc1720 fourpence-halfpenny1723 thirteener1762 tenpenny1822 thirteen-penny1828 sun groat1861 twenty-pence piece1981 1543 in O'Curry Mann. Anc. Irish (1873) III. 274 An hundred pounds sterling in harp grotes. harp-lute n. (see quot.). ΚΠ 1861 J. S. Adams 5000 Mus. Terms Harp-Lute, an instrument having twelve strings and resembling the guitar. harp-master n. ΚΠ 1819 F. MacDonogh Hermit in London II. 185 That gentleman is my daughter's harp-master. harp-mistress n. a teacher of harp-playing. ΚΠ 1852 M. R. Mitford Recoll. II. 101 The dismissal of the poor little harp-mistress. harp-seal n. see sense 7. harp-shell n. see sense 6. † harp-shilling n. Obsolete an Irish coin having the figure of a harp on the reverse: see harper n.¹ 2. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Irish coins > [noun] harp1543 harp-groat1543 harped groata1549 rose pence1556 smulkinc1571 harp-shilling1591 harper1598 patrick1673 thirteenc1720 fourpence-halfpenny1723 thirteener1762 tenpenny1822 thirteen-penny1828 sun groat1861 twenty-pence piece1981 1591 Fearf. Effects 2 Comets (Halliw.) Harpe shillings shall not passe for twelvepence. a1592 R. Greene Sc. Hist. Iames IV (1598) iii. sig. F2^v What shal I bee then, faithe a plaine harpe shilling. † harp-star n. Obsolete Vega, the chief star in Lyra. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > star > kind of star > small star > [noun] > dwarf > Vega Vega1594 harp-star1601 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xviii. xxvi. 590 The Dolphin star riseth in the morning, and the morrow after, the Harp-star Fidicula. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † harpn.² Forms: In 1600s harpe. = harpy n. 4. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [noun] > genus Circus (harrier) > circus aeruginosus (marsh harrier) pittelOE dunkite1533 harp1671 moor-buzzard1678 duck-hawk1812 dun pickle1817 marsh harrier1831 harpy1838 moor harrier1840 moor hawk1885 1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 514 The Ducks and Seaguls, the Harpe and the Buzzard..The Harpe and the Kite against the Buzzard. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021). harpv. Etymology: Old English hearpian, < harp n.¹ Compare Middle Dutch, Dutch harpen, Middle High German harpfen, German harfen. 1. intransitive. To play on a harp. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (intransitive)] > play harp harpc888 citharize1623 c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §6 He mihte hearpian þæt þe wudu wagode. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10134 He cuðen harpien [c1300 Otho harpi] wel an his child-haden. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 405 Many hundreth of angeles harpeden and songen. a1500 Tale of Basin in M. M. Furrow Ten 15th-cent. Comic Poems (1985) 57 He harpys and gytryns, and syngs wel þertoo. 1645 J. Milton On Christ's Nativity: Hymn xi, in Poems 6 The helmed Cherubim And sworded Seraphim..Harping in loud and solemn quire. 1879 S. H. Butcher & A. Lang tr. Homer Odyssey 208 Among them harped the divine minstrel Demodocus. 2. figurative. to harp upon, on (†of), a, one, the same (etc.) string: to repeat a statement or dwell on a subject to a wearisome or tedious length. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > repetition > repeat [verb (intransitive)] > dwell on something to harp upon, on (of), a, one, the same (etc.) string?1531 to sing the same (or one) song1551 chant1572 ding1582 to go on1863 to keep on1907 riff1952 the mind > emotion > suffering > feeling of weariness or tedium > be or become wearied or bored [verb (intransitive)] > be or become wearisome or tedious > specifically by tedious or repetitive talk to harp upon, on (of), a, one, the same (etc.) string?1531 to bore (any one's) ears1641 to —— a person's head off1829 ?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye i. sig. c5 Se how he harpeth all of one stringe. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 49/2 The Cardinall made a countinance to the tother Lord, that he should harpe no more vpon that string. 1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 7 They are sure still harping on their old string. 1685 H. More Some Cursory Reflexions upon Baxter 25 He harps much upon that jarring String. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. vi. 323 Harping mainly on the religious string. 3. a. Hence, to harp on, upon, (†of, about): to dwell wearisomely upon in speech or writing. ΚΠ 1562 Apol. Priv. Masse (1850) 19 The great matter you harp on. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 189 Still harping on my daughter. View more context for this quotation 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 103 This word reuenge he still harpt vpon. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 504. ⁋2 Ever harping upon things they ought not to allude to. 1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 332 Still harping of her father. b. harp on (intr.): to continue harping. ΚΠ 1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain ii. xii. 465 ‘It would be a comfort,’ harped on Mr. Rivers, dwelling on the subject. †4. a. transitive. To play (notes, etc.) upon a harp. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp > play (music) on harpc1330 c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 572 He..harpeþ notes swete. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7430 Harpand a sang bifor þe king. 1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 172 b/1 An harpe on whiche..he wold harpe anthemes. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. xiv. 7 Howe shall it be knowen what is pyped or harped? 1777 T. Warton Ode x. Poems 67 A tale..Never yet in rime enroll'd, Nor sung, nor harp'd in hall and bower. b. To render in verse, to ‘sing’. ΚΠ 1807 J. Barlow Columbiad viii. 297 What avails To harp for you these known familiar tales? †5. a. transitive. To play upon, twang (a string, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > pluck harp1629 twitch1669 plunk1808 pick1848 pluck1873 tirl1882 1629 J. Gaule Practique Theories Christs Predict. 44 The Promise made, the Prophets harpe the string. b. figurative (intransitive). To ‘play’ (upon). rare. ΚΠ 1830 T. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. Jan. 231 They fear the orators who harp upon the bad passions of the people. 6. intransitive. To make a sound like that of the harp. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > other resonant sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > of string twang1567 harp1657 plunk1894 1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 59 Yet shall you hear them if you listen in an evening harping like Mise (as if Mise were gnawing on every side). 1823 Ld. Byron Island ii. xviii. 39 No dying night-breeze, harping o'er the hill. 7. a. transitive. To give voice to, to guess. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > conjecture, guess [verb (transitive)] readOE ettlec1275 divine1362 areadc1374 conjectc1374 aima1382 imaginec1405 supposec1405 imagine1477 conjecture1530 guessa1535 harpa1616 foreguess1640 a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 90 Thou hast harp'd my feare aright. View more context for this quotation 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iv, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 100 The old dame had..harped aright the fear of the Lord Keeper. 1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus ii. i. 68 Thou hast harp'd the truth indeed! †b. intransitive. to harp at: To guess at. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > form conjectures, guess [verb (intransitive)] divine1362 supposea1393 conjecta1425 guessc1535 rove1551 level1580 conjecture1587 to harp at1611 to venture at1623 to make a shot1840 reach1952 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Taston Parler à taston, to speake by ghesse or coniecture, onely to harpe at the matter. 1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. iv. 178 Rugged names of places unknown, better harp'd at in Camden, and other Chorographers. 8. transitive. To bring out of, into, a place or state by playing on the harp. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)] > by music harp1528 pipe1673 society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing stringed instrument > play stringed instrument [verb (transitive)] > play harp > bring out of, into, etc., by harping harp1528 1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. Bii^v At his resurrection he harped out of hell Olde patriarkes & prophetes in heuen with him to dwell. a1800 Glenkindie in Jamieson Pop. Ballads (1806) I. 91 He'd harpit a fish out o' saut water, Or water out o' a stane. 1828 P. Buchan Anc. Ballads & Songs N. Scotl. II. 201 He's harped them all asleep. 1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in Gareth & Lynette 110 He could harp his wife up out of hell. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.¹c825n.²1671v.c888
随便看	unrepented-of unrepented-on unrepentedfor unrepentedof unrepentedon unrepenting unrepentingly unrepentingness unrepetitive unrepined unrepined at unrepining unrepiningly unreplaceable unreplaced unreplenished unrepliable unrepliable-to unrepliableto unrepliably unreplicated unreplied unreplied to unreplying unreportable

harpn.1

Compounds

† harpn.2

harpv.

harpn.¹

† harpn.²