harp : Idioms & Phrases

Index

aeolian harp

  • noun a harp having strings tuned in unison; they sound when wind passes over them
    aeolian lyre; aeolian harp.
WordNet

cat-harping

Cat"-harp`ing noun
Definitions
  1. (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.
Webster 1913

Eolian attachment, Eolian harp

  • . See Æolian.
Webster 1913

Harp seal

  • noun common Arctic seal; the young are all white
    Pagophilus groenlandicus.
WordNet
  • (Zoöl.), an arctic seal (Phoca Groenlandica). 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.
Webster 1913

Harp shell

  • (Zoöl.), a beautiful marine gastropod shell of the genus Harpa, of several species, found in tropical seas. See Harpa.
Webster 1913

harp-shaped

  • adjective satellite shaped in the form of a harp
WordNet

harping iron

Harp"ing i`ron
Etymology
F.harper to grasp strongly. See Harpoon.
Definitions
  1. A harpoon. Evelyn.
Webster 1913

jew's harp

  • noun a small lyre-shaped musical instrument that is placed between the teeth and played by twanging a wire tongue while changing the shape of the mouth cavity
    mouth bow; jew's harp.
WordNet

jew's-harp

Jew's-harp` noun
Etymology
Jew + harp; or possibly a corrupt. of jaw's harp; cf. G. maultrommel, lit., mouthdrum.
Definitions
  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.
  2. (Naut.) The shackle for joining a chain cable to an anchor.
Webster 1913

jews' harp

  • noun a small lyre-shaped musical instrument that is placed between the teeth and played by twanging a wire tongue while changing the shape of the mouth cavity
    mouth bow; jew's harp.
WordNet

mouth harp

  • noun a small rectangular free-reed instrument having a row of free reeds set back in air holes and played by blowing into the desired hole
    harp; mouth organ; harmonica.
WordNet

To harp on one string

  • to dwell upon one subject with disagreeable or wearisome persistence. Collog.
Webster 1913

wind harp

  • noun a harp having strings tuned in unison; they sound when wind passes over them
    aeolian lyre; aeolian harp.
WordNet

Æolian harp

  • . See under Æolian.
Webster 1913