Množina: harps

ETYM Old Eng. harpe, AS. hearpe; akin to Dutch harp, German harfe, Old High Germ. harpha, Dan. harpe, Icel. and Swed. harpa.
Plucked musical string instrument, with the strings stretched vertically within a wood and brass soundbox of triangular shape. The orchestral harp is the largest instrument of its type. It has up to 47 diatonically tuned strings, in the range B0–C7 (seven octaves), and seven double-action pedals to alter pitch. Composers for the harp include Mozart, Ravel, Salzedo, and Holliger.
Recorded from biblical times, the harp existed in the West as early as the 9th century, and it was common among medieval minstrels. At that time it was quite small, and was normally placed on the knees. It evolved in size because of a need for increased volume following its introduction into the orchestra in the 19th century. The harp has also been used in folk music, as both a solo and accompanying instrument, and is associated with Wales and Ireland.
1. A pair of curved vertical supports for a lampshade.
2. A stringed musical instrument that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers.

Množina: harpists

ETYM Cf. French harpiste.
Someone who plays the harp; SYN. harper.

Množina: harpoons

ETYM French harpon, Late Lat. harpo, perh. of German origin, from the harp.
An implement with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it.

Množina: harpsichords

ETYM Old Fren. harpechorde, in which the harpe is of German origin. Related to Harp, and Chord.
Keyboard; strings are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots.
The largest and grandest of 18th-century keyboard string instruments, used in orchestras and as a solo instrument. The strings are plucked by “jacks” made of leather or quill, and multiple keyboards offering variation in tone are common. The revival of the harpsichord repertoire in the 20th century owes much to Wanda Landowska and Ralph Kirkpatrick (1911–1984).
Harpsichords have to be tuned regularly, and may therefore be adjusted in temperament according to repertoire. Famous makers of harpsichords include the English Kirckman and the Flemish Ruckers families. A modern repertoire has developed for the concert harpsichord, with concertos by Carter 1961, Frank Martin 1952, and Continuum for solo harpsichord by Ligeti 1968.

Množina: Harpies

(Greek mythology) Vicious winged monster; often depicted as a bird with the head of a woman.
In early Greek mythology, a wind spirit; in later legend the Harpies have horrific women's faces and the bodies of vultures.

Množina: harpies

ETYM French harpie, Latin harpyia, Greek arpyia, from the root of arpazein to snatch, to seize. Related to Rapacious.
1. Any of various fruit bats of the genus Nyctimene distinguished by nostrils drawn out into diverging tubes; SYN. harpy bat, tube-nosed bat, tube-nosed fruit bat.
2. Large black-and-white crested eagle of tropical America; SYN. harpy eagle, Harpia harpyja.