harper

¹

[ hahr-per ]

noun

1. a person who plays the harp.
2. a person who harps on a subject.
3. Numismatics. harp ( def 5 ).

Harper

²

[ hahr-per ]

noun

1. James, 1795–1869, and his brothers John, 1797–1875, (Joseph) Wesley, 1801–70, and Fletcher, 1806–77, U.S. printers and publishers.
2. a male or female given name.

Harper

/ ˈhɑːpə /

noun

1. HarperStephen1959MCanadianPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: prime minister Stephen ( Joseph ). Born 1959. Canadian statesman; prime minister from 2006

Word History and Origins

Origin of harper¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English hearpere. See harp, -er ¹

Example Sentences

They introduced me to dragons and dragonriders, wizards casting spells with words, ships with eyes and starships with voices, harpers posing riddles or playing instruments of bone, fairy tales turned upside down and inside out .

From The Verge

She was the lovely, golden-haired harper who had tried for her talent and failed.

From Literature

When they became international stars in the 1970s, the group hired a harper named Derek Bell to play the old O’Carolan tunes, which as a result became part of every Irish band’s repertoire.

From Washington Post

A boy darted up from the weeds at the foot of the hill, the harper’s companion.

From Literature

The harper government s threatening to pass legislation that will eviscerate the rights and freedoms of ordinary Canadians.

From New York Times

Related Words

• troubadour