carp

Founding-era definition · Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

CARP, verb intransitive Literally, to snap or catch at, or to pick. Hence, to censure, cavil, or find fault, particularly without reason, or petulantly; followed by at. No, not a tooth or nail to scratch And at my actions carp and catch. Herbert. CARP, noun A fish, a species of cyprinus, an excellent fish for ponds. These fishes breed rapidly, grow to a large size, and live to a great age.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI

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