Harpy

[ hahr-pee ]

noun

, plural Har·pies.

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

Harpy

¹

/ ˈhɑːpɪ /

noun

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

harpy

²

/ ˈhɑːpɪ /

noun

1. a cruel grasping woman

Other Words From

• harpy·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Harpy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Harpy¹

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

Example Sentences

Mr. Banks said in a statement that after he first uncovered the program, the Navy denied that a sailor known as “Harpy Daniels” was linked to the program.

From Washington Times

Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who calls himself “Harpy Daniels,” announced in November he had been picked by the Navy as part of outreach efforts to encourage more young people to enlist.

From Washington Times

Harpy eagles had been spotted along the river a couple of years ago, Mr. Gualinga said, adding that he’d seen them on trips to the area in recent months.

From New York Times

We encounter it first in Homer’s “Iliad” and then again in Virgil’s “Aeneid,” where it appears at the doors of Hades alongside Gorgons, centaurs and Harpies.

From New York Times

Now I wake up between 6 and 8 a.m. to walk Harpy.

From New York Times