I. ˈkärp intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic karpa to dispute
Date: 14th century
: to find fault or complain querulously
• carp·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1904
: complaint
III. noun
( plural carp or carps )
Etymology: Middle English carpe, from Middle French, from Late Latin carpa, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German karpfo carp
Date: 15th century
1. : a large variable Asian soft-finned freshwater cyprinid fish ( Cyprinus carpio ) of sluggish waters that is often raised for food and has been widely introduced into United States waters ; also : any of various related cyprinid fishes (as the grass carp)
2. : a fish (as the European sea bream) resembling a carp