verb
carp
To complain or find fault persistently.
He carps about every small change to the meeting schedule.
Etymology
Old Norse karpa meant to boast or dispute. English developed the speaking sense toward quibbling and repeated fault-finding, producing the present idea of persistent, petty complaint.
More examples
- She refuses to carp over trivial details.
- The reviewer carped at the actors' costumes.
- Their constant carping made cooperation difficult.
Forms
carp · carps · carped · carping