Carp, n.; pl. Carp, formerly Carps.  Zool. A fresh-water herbivorous fish (Cyprinus carpio.). Several other species of Cyprinus, Catla, and Carassius are called carp. See Cruclan carp.
 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.
 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.

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