*harp*

n. a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. See Cat-harping. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) One of the short ropes or iron cramps used to brace in the shrouds toward the masts so a to give freer sweep to the yards. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F., properly fem. p. p. of OF. charpir, carpir, to pluck, fr. L. carpere. Cf. Carpet. ] (Med.) Straight threads obtained by unraveling old linen cloth; -- used for surgical dressings. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Astron.) A constellation; Lyra, or the Lyre. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A grain sieve. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Aeolian harp. See under Aeolian. [ 1913 Webster ]

Harp seal (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), a beautiful marine gastropod shell of the genus Harpa, of several species, found in tropical seas. See Harpa. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Harped pos>p. pr. & vb. n. Harping. ] [ AS. hearpian. See Harp, n. ] 1. To play on the harp. [ 1913 Webster ]

I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps. Rev. xiv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Harping on what I am,
Not what he knew I was. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To harp on one string, to dwell upon one subject with disagreeable or wearisome persistence. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou 'st harped my fear aright. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., harp. ] (Zool.) A genus of marine univalve shells; the harp shells; -- so called from the form of the shells, and their ornamental ribs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. harpago, Gr. "arpa`gh hook, rake.] A grappling iron. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

n. [ AS. hearpere. ] 1. A player on the harp; a minstrel. [ 1913 Webster ]

The murmuring pines and the hemlocks . . .
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A brass coin bearing the emblem of a harp, -- formerly current in Ireland. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to the harp; as, harping symphonies. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ F. harper to grasp strongly. See Harpoon. ] A harpoon. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. (Naut.) The fore parts of the wales, which encompass the bow of a vessel, and are fastened to the stem. [ Written also harpins. ] Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. harpiste. ] A player on the harp; a harper. W. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. harpon, LL. harpo, perh. of Ger. origin, fr. the harp; cf. F. harper to take and grasp strongly, harpe a dog's claw, harpin boathook (the sense of hook coming from the shape of the harp); but cf. also Gr. "a`rph the kite, sickle, and E. harpy. Cf. Harp.] A spear or javelin used to strike and kill large fish, as whales; a harping iron. It consists of a long shank, with a broad, flat, triangular head, sharpened at both edges, and is thrown by hand, or discharged from a gun. [1913 Webster]

Harpoon fork, a kind of hayfork, consisting of a bar with hinged barbs at one end and a loop for a rope at the other end, used for lifting hay from the load by horse power. --
Harpoon gun, a gun used in the whale fishery for shooting the harpoon into a whale. [1913 Webster]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Harpooned p. pr. & vb. n. Harpooning. ] To strike, catch, or kill with a harpoon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An harpooner. Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. harponneur. ] One who throws the harpoon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female harper. [ R. ] Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A harpsichord. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. harpechorde, in which the harpe is of German origin. See Harp, and Chord. ] (Mus.) A harp-shaped instrument of music set horizontally on legs, like the grand piano, with strings of wire, played by the fingers, by means of keys provided with quills, instead of hammers, for striking the strings. It is now superseded by the piano. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. someone who plays the harpsichord. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A fast-growing tree of India and East Indies (Harpullia cupanioides) yielding a wood used especially for building.
Syn. -- Harpullia cupanioides. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. any of various tree of the genus Harpullia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Harpies [ F. harpie, L. harpyia, Gr. "a`rpyia, from the root of "arpa`zein to snatch, to seize. Cf. Rapacious. ] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A fabulous winged monster, ravenous and filthy, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture, with long claws, and the face pale with hunger. Some writers mention two, others three. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both table and provisions vanished quite.
With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner. [ 1913 Webster ]

The harpies about all pocket the pool. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) (a) The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus). (b) A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged American eagle (Thrasaëtus harpyia). It ranges from Texas to Brazil. [ 1913 Webster ]

Harpy bat (Zool.) (a) An East Indian fruit bat of the genus Harpyia (esp. Harpyia cephalotes), having prominent, tubular nostrils. (b) A small, insectivorous Indian bat (Harpiocephalus harpia). --
Harpy fly (Zool.), the house fly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Jew + harp; or possibly a corrupt. of jaw's harp; cf. G. maultrommel, lit., mouthdrum. ] 1. An instrument of music, which, when placed between the teeth, gives, by means of a bent metal tongue struck by the finger, a sound which is modulated by the breath; -- called also Jew's-trump. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) The shackle for joining a chain cable to an anchor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Sharper superl. Sharpest. ] [ OE. sharp, scharp, scarp, AS. scearp; akin to OS. skarp, LG. scharp, D. scherp, G. scharf, Dan. & Sw. skarp, Icel. skarpr. Cf. Escarp, Scrape, Scorpion. ] 1. Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen. [ 1913 Webster ]

He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mus.) (a) High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone. (b) Raised a semitone in pitch; as, C sharp (C♯), which is a half step, or semitone, higher than C. (c) So high as to be out of tune, or above true pitch; as, the tone is sharp; that instrument is sharp. Opposed in all these senses to flat. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sharp misery had worn him to the bones. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The morning sharp and clear. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

In sharpest perils faithful proved. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke. “That sharp look.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

To that place the sharp Athenian law
Can not pursue us. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be thy words severe,
Sharp as merits but the sword forbear. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing, or judgment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have never ye&unr_; arrived at clear and distinct ideas. L. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. “In sharp contest of battle.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sharp assault already is begun. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The necessity of being so sharp and exacting. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

11. Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand. Moxon. [ 1913 Webster ]

12. Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve. [ 1913 Webster ]

13. (Phonetics) Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sharp is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sharp-cornered, sharp-edged, sharp-pointed, sharp-tasted, sharp-visaged, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sharp practice, the getting of an advantage, or the attempt to do so, by a tricky expedient. --
To brace sharp, or
To sharp up (Naut.), to turn the yards to the most oblique position possible, that the ship may lie well up to the wind. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Keen; acute; piercing; penetrating; quick; sagacious; discerning; shrewd; witty; ingenious; sour; acid; tart; pungent; acrid; severe; poignant; biting; acrimonious; sarcastic; cutting; bitter; painful; afflictive; violent; harsh; fierce; ardent; fiery. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

The head [ of a spear ] full sharp yground. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

You bite so sharp at reasons. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Look sharp, attend; be alert. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A sharp tool or weapon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs. Collier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) (a) The character [ ♯ ] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step, or semitone, in pitch. (b) A sharp tone or note. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly. [ Prov. Eng. ] C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. Same as Middlings, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An expert. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sharped p. pr. & vb. n. Sharping. ] 1. To sharpen. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step, or semitone, above the natural tone. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) To sing above the proper pitch. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Cut sharply or definitely, or so as to make a clear, well-defined impression, as the lines of an engraved plate, and the like; clear-cut; hence, having great distinctness; well-defined; clear. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sarpened p. pr. & vb. n. Sharpening. ] [ See Sharp, a. ] To make sharp. Specifically: (a) To give a keen edge or fine point to; to make sharper; as, to sharpen an ax, or the teeth of a saw. (b) To render more quick or acute in perception; to make more ready or ingenious. [ 1913 Webster ]

The air . . . sharpened his visual ray
To objects distant far. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) To make more eager; as, to sharpen men's desires. [ 1913 Webster ]

Epicurean cooks
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) To make more pungent and intense; as, to sharpen a pain or disease. (e) To make biting, sarcastic, or severe. “Sharpen each word.” E. Smith. (f) To render more shrill or piercing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

(g) To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar. (h) (Mus.) To raise, as a sound, by means of a sharp; to apply a sharp to. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow or become sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person who bargains closely, especially, one who cheats in bargains; a swinder; also, a cheating gamester. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sharpers, as pikes, prey upon their own kind. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Swindler; cheat; deceiver; trickster; rogue. See Swindler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A long, sharp, flat-bottomed boat, with one or two masts carrying a triangular sail. They are often called Fair Haven sharpies, after the place on the coast of Connecticut where they originated. [ Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A stickleback. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a sharp manner, ; keenly; acutely. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are more sharply to be chastised and reformed than the rude Irish. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

The soldiers were sharply assailed with wants. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]

You contract your eye when you would see sharply. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. scearpness. ] The quality or condition of being sharp; keenness; acuteness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The great titmouse; -- so called from its harsh call notes. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Eager in appetite or desire of gratification; affected by keen hunger; ravenous; as, an eagle or a lion sharp-set. [ 1913 Webster ]

The town is sharp-set on new plays. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One skilled in shooting at an object with exactness; a good marksman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A shooting with great precision and effect; hence, a keen contest of wit or argument. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having quick or acute sight; -- used literally and figuratively. -- Sharp`-sight`ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) (a) The pintail duck. (b) The pintail grouse, or prairie chicken. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having an acute or nicely discerning mind. [ 1913 Webster ]