from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Carp \Carp\, n.; pl. {Carp}, formerly {Carps}. [Cf. Icel. karfi,
Dan. karpe, Sw. karp, OHG. charpho, G. karpfen, F. carpe, LL.
carpa.] (Zool.)
A fresh-water herbivorous fish ({Cyprinus carpio}.). Several
other species of {Cyprinus}, {Catla}, and {Carassius} are
called carp. See {Cruclan carp}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The carp was originally from Asia, whence it was early
introduced into Europe, where it is extensively reared
in artificial ponds. Within a few years it has been
introduced into America, and widely distributed by the
government. Domestication has produced several
varieties, as the leather carp, which is nearly or
quite destitute of scales, and the mirror carp, which
has only a few large scales. Intermediate varieties
occur.
[1913 Webster]
{Carp louse} (Zool.), a small crustacean, of the genus
{Argulus}, parasitic on carp and allied fishes. See
{Branchiura}.
{Carp mullet} (Zool.), a fish ({Moxostoma carpio}) of the
Ohio River and Great Lakes, allied to the suckers.
{Carp sucker} (Zool.), a name given to several species of
fresh-water fishes of the genus Carpiodes in the United
States; -- called also quillback.
[1913 Webster]