·noun A genus of marine univalve shells; the harp shells;
— so called from the form of the shells, and their ornamental ribs.
harpa, ae, f., = ἅρπη (a sickle, transf.), a harp (late Lat.), Ven. Carm. 7, 8, 63. ...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.