carp

¹

[ kahrp ]

verb (used without object)

1. to find fault or complain querulously or unreasonably; be niggling in criticizing; cavil:

   to carp at minor errors.

   Synonyms: censure, condemn, deprecate, criticize

noun

1. a peevish complaint.

carp

²

[ kahrp ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) carp, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) carps.

1. a large freshwater cyprinid fish, Cyprinus carpio, native to Asia but widely introduced in tropical and temperate waters: an important food fish in many countries.
2. any of various other fishes of the family Cyprinidae.

-carp

³

1. a combining form occurring in compounds that denote a part of a fruit or fruiting body:

   endocarp.

carp.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. carpentry.

carp

¹

/ kɑːp /

verb

1. introften foll byat to complain or find fault; nag pettily

-carp

²

combining form

1. (in botany) fruit or a reproductive structure that develops into a particular part of the fruit

   epicarp

carp

³

/ kɑːp /

noun

1. a freshwater teleost food fish, Cyprinus carpio, having a body covered with cycloid scales, a naked head, one long dorsal fin, and two barbels on each side of the mouth: family Cyprinidae
2. any other fish of the family Cyprinidae; a cyprinid

Derived Forms

• ˈcarper, noun

Other Words From

• carper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of carp¹

1200–50; Middle English carpen to speak, prate < Old Norse karpa to brag, wrangle

Origin of carp²

1350–1400; Middle English carpe < Middle French < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German karpe; cognate with Old High German karpfo

Origin of carp³

< New Latin -carpium < Greek -karpion, derivative of karpós fruit

Word History and Origins

Origin of carp¹

C13: from Old Norse karpa to boast; related to Latin carpere to pluck

Origin of carp²

from New Latin -carpium, from Greek -karpion, from karpos fruit

Origin of carp³

C14: from Old French carpe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German karpfo, Old Norse karfi

Example Sentences

He achieved far more legislatively than many thought possible, given the narrow margins Democrats held in the House and Senate, and presided over an economy that, partisan carping aside, is the envy of the world.

From Los Angeles Times

And who knows what Republicans are thinking about Trump's inconsistent directives about early voting or constant carping about the elections being rigged?

From Salon

A cabinet minister says: “It’s just so good to be in government; it’s really, really tough but any tough day is better than 14 years of carping on in opposition.”

From BBC

Respectfully, the fans carping about coach DeShaun Foster after three games of a predictably difficult season are missing an essential point.

From Los Angeles Times

She stopped and took a picture of a nearly 2-foot-long carp, which lay glistening by the edge of a stagnant pool.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grumble
• quibble