English → Latin
“harp” in Latin
psaltēriumlute or psalterypsallōto play or sing to the cithara; to sing or play a tune; to sing psalmsscrībōto writeineōto enter, go into; to begin; to have sexual intercourse
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
harp
psalterium (ψαλτήριον, an ancient instrument resembling a harp, and adopted by the Christian writers to express that instrument). To accompany one’s self on the harp, cantare et psallere; canere voce et psallere. Vid: LYRE.
harp v.
*psalterio canere; or the general term psallere; or fidibus canere (on any stringed instrument).
To dwell long and often on a subject, cantilenam eandem canere (Terentianus). You are always harping on the same string, cantilenam eandem canis (Ter., Phorm., 3, 2, 10); nihil nisi idem, quod saepe, scribis (in a letter); semper ista eademque audio (you always tell me the same tale); uno opere eandem incudem die nocteque tundit (he is always hammering at one subject, Cic., De Or., 2, 39, init.).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for harp?
- The usual Latin words for “harp” are psaltērium, psallō, scrībō; also ineō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.