Harpy

American  

[hahr-pee] / ˈhɑr pi /

noun

plural

Harpies

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.

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Harpy ¹ British  

/ ˈhɑːpɪ /

noun

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

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harpy ² British  

/ ˈhɑːpɪ /

noun

1. a cruel grasping woman

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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.

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Sep. 24, 2021

Harpy eagles were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America, but tree cutting and burning has dramatically shrunk their range.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2021

The Harpy looks like a cross between a missile and a fixed-wing drone, and is fired from the ground into a target area where it can linger for up to nine hours.

From The Verge • Jun. 3, 2021

Harpy birthday: On Dec. 8, wish it on Ann Coulter.

From Washington Post • Jul. 26, 2018

“The Sons of the Harpy are laughing in their pyramids,” Skahaz said, just this morning.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin