Harp /(härp)/

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. A constellation; Lyra, or the Lyre. (Astron.)
  3. A grain sieve. [Scot.]

Phrases & Compounds
Aeolian harp
See under Aeolian.
Harp seal
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
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

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

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

Harp

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.