Harpy
[ hahr-pee ]
/ ˈhɑr pi /
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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.
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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, adjectiveWords nearby Harpy
harp on, harpoon, harpoon gun, harp seal, harpsichord, Harpy, harpy eagle, harquebus, harquebusier, Harrer, harridan
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Harpy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Harpy (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 Harpy (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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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