Carp Meaning
/ˈkɑːp/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae; specifically the common carp, Cyprinus carpio.
nounAny of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.
Sentence Examples
The pond abounds with carp.
Did you know that carp eat tadpoles?
Such fishes as carp and trout live in fresh water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fisherman caught a large ____ in the muddy pond.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The large ____ was swimming slowly in the middle of the garden pond.
Word Origin & History
From Late Middle English carpe (“the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)”), from Old French carpe, from Late Latin carpa, possibly from Proto-West Germanic *karpo (possibly due to the introduction from the fish from the Danube into England in the 14th century; whence Middle Low German karpe and Old High German charpho, karpho); further etymology unknown.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Carp is a ſtately, a good, and a ſubtle fiſh, a fiſh that hath not (as it is ſaid) been long in England, but ſaid to be by one Mr. Maſcall (a Gentleman then living at Plumſted in Suſſex) brought into this Nation: […] Carps and Loches are obſerved to breed ſeveral months in one year, vvhich moſt other fiſh do not, and it is the rather believed, becauſe you ſhall ſcarce or never take a Male Carp vvithout a Melt, or a Female vvithout a Roe or Spavvn; […]"
— 1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], chapter VIII, in The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], →OCLC; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN, pages 161–162:
"Like scaly carp and feathered swan
To nature's world we do belong."
— 1988, “Mayhem Maybe”, in Ian Anderson (music), 20 Years of Jethro Tull, performed by Jethro Tull:
"Illinois took the initiative in renaming the Asian carp given the state’s position as a sort of “last stand” against the carp entering the Great Lakes."
— 2022 June 22, Patti Wetli, “Introducing Copi, the Fish Formerly Known as Asian Carp”, in WTTW:
"Matsumoto Castle exhibits the architecture of both war and peace, from its steep wooden stairs, hidden inner levels and archer’s perches to the moon-viewing room added in 1630, which also offers a vantage point for viewing the brocaded carps and ducks residing in the castle moat."
— 2023 May 18, David McElhenney, “13 of Japan’s best castles”, in CNN:
"Here agayne Seruetto carpeth, yͭ God did beare the perſon of an Angel. As thoughe the Prophete did not confirme that whiche Moſes had ſaied: why doeſt thou aſke me of my name?"
— 1561 May 16 (Gregorian calendar), Ihon Caluin [i.e., John Calvin], “That there is Taught in the Scriptures One Essence of God from the Very Creation, which Essence Conteineth in It Thre Persons”, in [Thomas Norton], transl., The Institution of Christian Religion, […], London: […] Reinolde [i.e., Reginald?] Wolfe & Richarde Harison, →OCLC, 1st book, folio 34, recto:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fisherman caught a large ____ in the muddy pond.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The large ____ was swimming slowly in the middle of the garden pond.