The Collaborative International Dictionary
Harpy \Har"py\ (h[aum]r"p[y^]), n.; pl. Harpies (-p[i^]z). [F. harpie, L. harpyia, Gr. "a`rpyia, from the root of "arpa`zein to snatch, to seize. Cf. Rapacious.]
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(Gr. Myth.) A fabulous winged monster, ravenous and filthy, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture, with long claws, and the face pale with hunger. Some writers mention two, others three.
Both table and provisions vanished quite. With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
--Milton. -
One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
The harpies about all pocket the pool.
--Goldsmith. -
(Zo["o]l.)
The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus).
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A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged American eagle ( Thrasa["e]tus harpyia). It ranges from Texas to Brazil. Harpy bat (Zo["o]l.)
An East Indian fruit bat of the genus Harpyia (esp. Harpyia cephalotes), having prominent, tubular nostrils.
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A small, insectivorous Indian bat ( Harpiocephalus harpia).
Harpy fly (Zo["o]l.), the house fly.