Harpy

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)pi

Origin

French harpie, Latin harpyia, from Ancient Greek Αρπυια "to snatch, to seize". Compare rapacious.

Full definition of harpy

Noun

1. A fabulous winged monster, ravenous and filthy, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture.
• MiltonBoth table and provisions vanished quite,
  With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
2. A shrewish woman.
• 1927 , Edgar Rice Burrows , The Outlaw of Torn Chapter , But her most subtle wiles proved ineffectual in ridding her, even for a moment, of her harpy jailer...
3. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
• GoldsmithThe harpies about all pocket the pool.
4. The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).
5. A large and powerful double-crested, short-winged American eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia).

Derived terms

• harpy bat
• harpy fly