Harpy

[ hahr-pee ]
/ ˈhɑr pi /

noun, plural Har·pies.

Classical Mythology. a ravenous, filthy monster having a woman's head and a bird's body.
(lowercase) a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman; shrew.
(lowercase) a greedy, predatory person.

Origin of Harpy

< Latin Harpȳia, singular of Harpȳiae < Greek Hárpȳiai (plural), literally, snatchers, akin to harpázein to snatch away

OTHER WORDS FROM Harpy

harp·y·like, adjective

Words related to harpies

shrew, vixen, virago, nag, hag, swindler, shark, Shylock, Xanthippe

Example sentences from the Web for harpies

British Dictionary definitions for harpies (1 of 2)

harpy
/ (ˈhɑːpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

a cruel grasping woman

Word Origin for harpy

C16: from Latin Harpyia, from Greek Harpuiai the Harpies, literally: snatchers, from harpazein to seize

British Dictionary definitions for harpies (2 of 2)

Harpy
/ (ˈhɑːpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

Greek myth a ravenous creature with a woman's head and trunk and a bird's wings and claws

Cultural definitions for harpies

Harpies

Vicious winged beings in classical mythology, often depicted as birds with women's faces. In the story of Jason, they steal or spoil an old blind man's food, leaving a terrible odor behind them.