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

carp ,

plural

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

1. carpentry.

carp

¹

/ 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

-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 /

verb

1. to complain or find fault; nag pettily

Other Word Forms

• carper 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

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

Origin of carp²

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

Origin of carp³

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

Example Sentences

The two men went carp fishing in a pond near the 17th-century house before they held talks about Gaza and other international affairs at the residence during Vance's family holiday to the UK.

From BBC

Vance joked this activity put "a strain on the special relationship" with his children all catching carp, while the foreign secretary came away empty-handed.

From BBC

After 400 of the ornamental carp were stolen from an office park outside Washington in 2013, the Washington Post noted that some collectors “will pay as much as $25,000 for a championship fish.”

From Los Angeles Times

While carping about "the fake news media" during the White House Easter egg roll, Hegseth's whining got so pitched his voice started to crack, while his children stood behind him, embarrassed at the spectacle.

From Salon

This is a relatively small amount compared with international production levels, but still notable considering that rainbow trout is a new farmed species in China, unlike traditional species like carp.

From Salon

Related Words

• grumble 
• quibble 

When To Use

What does -carp mean?

The combining form -carp is used like a suffix to refer to fruit or a fruiting body. A fruiting body is an organ that produces spores, which develops into a part of a fruit. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and botany.The combining form -carp ultimately comes from the Greek karpós, meaning “fruit.” The combining form -carpic is used to form adjectives of words ending in -carp. Equivalent to -carpic is -carpous, meaning “fruited.”Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -carpic and -carpous articles.