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Etymology
Dictionary
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Origin of the word HARP. Etymology of the word
HARP.
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From An Etymology
Dictionary of the English Language, by Walter W. Skeat, 1893. |
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HARP,
a stringed musical instrument. (E.) M.E. harpe, Gower,
C. A. iii. 301; Layamon, 4898.—A.S. hearpe, Grein, ii. 62; and see
Ælfred, tr. of Boethius, c. xxxv.
§ 6 (b. iii. met. 12). + Du.
harp. + Icel. harpa. + Swed. harpa. + Dan. harpe. + G.
harfe, O.H.G. harpha. β.
Root unknown; but perhaps connected with Lat. crepare, to crackle, crabro, a
hornet; if so, it orig. meant 'loud-sounding.' ¶ There is no
pretence for connecting it, as usual, with Gk.
ἅρπη, meaning 'a sickle,' or 'a
bird of prey'! See note to Harpoon. Der.
harp-er = A.S. hearpere, in Ælfred, as above; harp, verb, A.S.
hearpian, id.; also harpsichord, q.v.
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| Etymology
Dictionary Index |
| A, B,
C, D, E,
F, G, H,
I, J, K,
L, M, N,
O, P, Q,
R, S, T,
U, V, W,
X, Y, Z
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| Key |
| Arab.=Arabic. |
| A.S.=Anglo
Saxon. |
| Bavar.=Bavarian |
| Bohem.=Bohemian. |
| C.=Celtic,
used as a general term for Irish, Gaelic, Welsh, Breton,
Cornish, &c. |
| Corn.=Cornish. |
| Dan.=Danish. |
| Du.=Dutch |
| E.=English. |
| E.E.=Early
English. |
| Europ.=European. |
| F.=French. |
| G.=German. |
| Gk.=Greek. |
| Goth.=Gothic. |
| Icel.=Icelandic. |
| Ital.=Italian. |
| L. or
Lat.=Latin. |
| Lith.
& Lithuan.=Lithuanian. |
| M.E.=Middle
English. |
| M.F.=Middle
French |
| M.H.G.=Middle
High German. |
| Norw.=Norwegian. |
| O.F.=Old
French. |
| O.H.G.=Old
High German. |
| Pers.=Persian. |
| Port.=Portuguese. |
| Scand.=Scandinavian,
used as a general term for Icelandic, Swedish, Danish,
&c. |
| Sc.=Scottish. |
| Skt.=Sanskrit. |
| Span.=Spanish. |
| Swed.=Sweish. |
| Teut.=Teutonic |
| Turk.=Turkish. |
| W.=Welsh. |
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