Harpies

1 definition found

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

  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}.]
     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.
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              Both table and provisions vanished quite.
              With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
                                                    --Milton.
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     2. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
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              The harpies about all pocket the pool. --Goldsmith.
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     3. (Zool.)
        (a) The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier ({Circus
            [ae]ruginosus}).
        (b) A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged
            American eagle ({Thrasa["e]tus harpyia}). It ranges
            from Texas to Brazil.
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     {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