[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

harpy \har"py\ haumr"py^, n.; pl. harpies -pi^z. f.
   harpie, l. harpyia, gr. "a`rpyia, from the root of "arpa`zein
   to snatch, to seize. cf. rapacious.
   1. 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.
      1913 webster

            both table and provisions vanished quite.
            with sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
                                                  --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. one who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
      1913 webster

            the harpies about all pocket the pool. --goldsmith.
      1913 webster

   3. zool.
      a the european moor buzzard or marsh harrier circus
          aeruginosus.
      b a large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged
          american eagle thrasa"etus harpyia. it ranges
          from texas to brazil.
          1913 webster

   harpy bat zool.
      a an east indian fruit bat of the genus harpyia esp.
          harpyia cephalotes, having prominent, tubular
          nostrils.
      b a small, insectivorous indian bat harpiocephalus
          harpia.

   harpy fly zool., the house fly.
      1913 webster harquebus
see also:
harpies rapacious circus aeruginosus thrasa"etus harpyia harpy bat harpyia 
harpyia cephalotes harpiocephalus harpia harpy fly 

Harpyia >> H Words
Harpyia, definition of term: Harpyia
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