Harpy
Americannoun
plural
Harpies-
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.
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
- harpylike adjective
Etymology
Origin of Harpy
< Latin Harpȳia, singular of Harpȳiae < Greek Hárpȳiai (plural), literally, snatchers, akin to harpázein to snatch away
Explanation
A harpy is a monster from Greek mythology. A harpy has the head and upper body of a woman and the wings and lower body of a bird. In Greek mythology, harpies were creatures who were sent by Zeus during storms to do his bidding. When a person or an object went missing, the disappearance was often blamed on harpies. The word harpy comes from a Greek word meaning "snatcher." Today, the word harpy is often used as a derogatory term for a very unpleasant woman.
Vocabulary lists containing harpy
"The Odyssey," Vocabulary from Part 1 of the epic poem
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Reading: Literature - Mythology - Introductory
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Reading: Literature - Mythology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its radar-killing Harpy can hover over anti-aircraft radar for up to nine hours waiting for them to power up.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 3, 2023
The IAI Harpy is launched from the ground and can linger for hours over a target area.
From The Verge • Jun. 3, 2021
Harpy birthday: On Dec. 8, wish it on Ann Coulter.
From Washington Post • Jul. 26, 2018
And the Harpy may be only the beginning.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2018
Skahaz was convinced that somewhere in Meereen the Sons of the Harpy had a highborn overlord, a secret general commanding an army of shadows.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
