carping

[ kahr-ping ]
/ ˈkɑr pɪŋ /

adjective

characterized by fussy or petulant faultfinding; querulous: carping criticism.

noun

petty faultfinding.

Origin of carping

1275–1325; Middle English (noun); see carp1, -ing2, -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM carping

carp·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for carping (2 of 2)

carp 1
[ kahrp ]
/ kɑrp /

verb (used without object)

to find fault or complain querulously or unreasonably; be niggling in criticizing; cavil: to carp at minor errors.

noun

a peevish complaint.

Origin of carp

1
1200–50; Middle English carpen to speak, prate < Old Norse karpa to brag, wrangle

OTHER WORDS FROM carp

carp·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for carping

British Dictionary definitions for carping (1 of 3)

carping
/ (ˈkɑːpɪŋ) /

adjective

tending to make petty complaints; fault-finding

Derived forms of carping

carpingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for carping (2 of 3)

carp 1
/ (kɑːp) /

verb

(intr often foll by at) to complain or find fault; nag pettily

Derived forms of carp

carper, noun

Word Origin for carp

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

British Dictionary definitions for carping (3 of 3)

carp 2
/ (kɑːp) /

noun plural carp or carps

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
any other fish of the family Cyprinidae; a cyprinid

Other words from carp

Related adjectives: cyprinid, cyprinoid

Word Origin for carp

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