Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Harp?

\Harp\, n. [OE. harpe, AS. hearpe; akin to D. harp, G. harfe, OHG. harpha, Dan. harpe, Icel. & Sw. harpa.] 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.] {[AE]olian harp}. See under {[AE]olian}. {Harp seal} (Zo["o]l.), an arctic seal ({Phoca Gr[oe]nlandica}). 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}. {Harp shell} (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful marine gastropod shell of the genus {Harpa}, of several species, found in tropical seas. See {Harpa}.
\Harp\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Harped}p. pr. & vb. n. {Harping}.] [AS. hearpian. See {Harp}, n.] 1. To play on the harp. 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. ``Harpings upon old themes.'' --W. Irving. 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. [Collog.]
\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 'harped my fear aright. --Shak.