Definition of "harp" in English

noun

1. (music) A 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

2. (music, colloquial) Any musical instrument.

3. (Scotland) A grain sieve.

4. The component of a lamp to which one attaches the lampshade, consisting of a lightweight frame that usually surrounds the bulb with an attachment at the top for the finial.

5. Ellipsis of harp seal.

verb

1. (derogatory, usually with on) To repeatedly mention a subject, especially so as to nag or complain.

   • Why do you harp on a single small mistake?
   • Why do you harp on about a single small mistake?

2. (transitive) To play on (a harp or similar instrument).

3. (transitive) To play (a tune) on the harp.

4. (transitive, archaic) To develop or give expression to by skill and art; to sound forth as from a harp; to hit upon.