harper English · revision 10368

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 800|origins=ang hearpere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhɑː(ɹ)pə(ɹ)/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English, [[inh|ang|hearpere|t=one who plays the harp]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) an agent noun from the verb [[harp]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Compare German Harfner.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who plays the harp: before 800 in the OED;^(OED 1989) Old English in Etymonline and the SOED.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a surname it is from the late 12th century.^(Etymonline) In the 16th and 17th centuries Irish coins bearing a harp, especially a shilling, were called harpers.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) A different, erroneous harper, a harpy, appears from 1586.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 800 – a harp player.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 12th century – as a surname.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1598 – an Irish coin.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who plays the [[harp]]; a [[harpist]].^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(historical)'' An Irish coin, especially a shilling, bearing the figure of a harp.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[harp]]

+ * [[harpist]]

+ * [[minstrel]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Fife, the harper crab is a name for a kind of crab.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}