(music) Amusical instrument consisting of a body and a curved neck, strung withstrings of varying length that are stroked or plucked with the fingers and are vertical to thesoundboard when viewed from the end of the body
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 KyngHenry the VII. His Reygne the XIX. Yere the Moneth of July. A Treatise betwene Trouth, and Information.”, inJohn Skelton, edited byJ[ohn] S[tow],Pithy Pleasaunt and Profitable Workes of Maister Skelton, Poete Laureate, Imprinted at London: InFletestreate, neare vntoSaint Dunstones Churche by Thomas Marshe,→OCLC; republished asPithy Pleasaunt and Profitable Workes of Maister Skelton, Poete Laureate to King Henry the VIIIth, London: Printed for C. Davis inPater-noster Row,1736,→OCLC,page290:
The Harpe.[…] A harper with hiswreſt maye tune theharpe wrong / Mys tunying of an Inſtrument ſhal hurt a true ſonge
The component of alamp to which oneattaches thelampshade, consisting of a lightweight frame that usually surrounds the bulb with an attachment at the top for thefinial.
1960,School Shop, volume20, page36:
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.
1991, Kalton C. Lahue, Cheryl Smith,Interior Lighting, page104:
Both types ofharp have a swiveling shade holder at the top. The threaded stud on the swivel accepts the finial.
2006, John Gimlette,Theatre of Fish: Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador, page225:
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 andharps.
