Harp

Harp (härp), 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.]

Æolian harp. See under Æolian.

Harp seal (Zoöl.), 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. — Harp shell (Zoöl.), 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 (härpt) 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. [Colloq.]

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. Shak.