Harp Meaning

/hɑːp/
C1

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounA musical instrument consisting of a body and a curved neck, strung with strings of varying length that are stroked or plucked with the fingers and are vertical to the soundboard when viewed from the end of the body

nounA musical instrument consisting of a body and a curved neck, strung with strings of varying length that are stroked or plucked with the fingers and are vertical to the soundboard when viewed from the end of the body, Any instrument of the same musicological type.

They could hear the elegant, flowing sound of a harp coming from somewhere.
Monotony develops when you harp on the same string.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The angel in the painting is holding a golden ____, a stringed instrument.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She played a beautiful melody on the ____, its gentle strings echoing through the quiet hall.

From Middle English harpe, from Old English hearpe (“harp”), from Proto-West Germanic *harpā, from Proto-Germanic *harpǭ (“harp”). Cognate with Scots hairp (“harp”), West Frisian harpe, harp (“harp”), Low German Harp (“harp”), Dutch harp (“harp”), German Harfe (“harp”), Danish harpe (“harp”), Swedish harpa (“harp”).

"The Harpe. […] A harper with his wreſt maye tune the harpe wrong / Mys tunying of an Inſtrument ſhal hurt a true ſonge" — 1568, William Cornishe [i.e., William Cornysh], “In the Fleete Made by Me William Cornishe otherwise Called Nyshwhete Chapelman with the Most Famose and Noble Kyng Henry the VII. His Reygne the XIX. Yere the Moneth of July. A Treatise betwene Trouth, and Information.”, in John Skelton, edited by J[ohn] S[tow], Pithy Pleasaunt and Profitable Workes of Maister Skelton, Poete Laureate, Imprinted at London: In Fletestreate, neare vnto Saint Dunstones Churche by Thomas Marshe, →OCLC; republished as Pithy Pleasaunt and Profitable Workes of Maister Skelton, Poete Laureate to King Henry the VIIIth, London: Printed for C. Davis in Pater-noster Row, 1736, →OCLC, page 290:
"Contains charts and instructions for wiring. Shows sockets, wire, harps, glass chimneys and globes, shade holders, bases, finials, and hundreds of items necessary in the building of lamps." — 1960, School Shop, volume 20, page 36:
"Both types of harp have a swiveling shade holder at the top. The threaded stud on the swivel accepts the finial." — 1991, Kalton C. Lahue, Cheryl Smith, Interior Lighting, page 104:
"More likely, it was the prospect of meat. Curwen was by now craving a juicy roast – 'even seal chop' – and was always loosing off at tickleasses and harps." — 2006, John Gimlette, Theatre of Fish: Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador, page 225:
"Thou harped my fear aright." — c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The angel in the painting is holding a golden ____, a stringed instrument.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She played a beautiful melody on the ____, its gentle strings echoing through the quiet hall.

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