▪ I. carper1
(ˈkɑːpə(r))
[f. carp v. + -er1.]
One who carps. † a. A talker, prattler. Obs. b. A fault-finder, a caviller, a captious critic.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 62 Carpare, fabulator, garulator. 1547 Recorde Judic. Ur. A ii b, The besye brabling of curyouse carpers. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (1841) 36 Every Duns will bee a carper. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 501 A carper of other mens faultes. 1658 A. Fox Wurtz' Surg. Ep. Ded. 9 He will meet with very many Carpers and Cavilers. 1666 J. Smith Old Age (1752) 51 That audacious carper at the works of God. 1868 Browning Ring & Bk. viii. 1007 Carpers abound in this misjudging world. |
▪ II. carper2
One who prepares teasels: see carp v.2