- OE. carpen to say, speak; from Scand. (cf. Icel. karpa to boast), but influenced later by L. carpere to pluck, calumniate
- To talk; to speak; to prattle.Obs
- To find fault; to cavil; to censure words or actions without reason or ill-naturedly; -- usually followed by at.Carping and caviling at faults of manner.And at my actions carp or catch.
