harpy

views updated Jun 11 2018

har·py / ˈhärpē/ • n. (pl. -pies) Greek and Roman Mythol. a rapacious monster described as having a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws or depicted as a bird of prey with a woman's face. ∎ a grasping, unscrupulous woman.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

harpy

views updated May 29 2018

harpy in Greek and Roman mythology, a rapacious monster described as having a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws or (as in Virgil's Aeneid) depicted as a bird of prey with a woman's face; in extended usage, a grasping unscrupulous woman.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

harpy

views updated Jun 11 2018

harpy fabulous monster half woman half bird; also transf. XVI. — (O)F. harpie or its source L. harpȳia, pl. -iæ — Gr. hárpūiai ‘snatchers’, rel. to harpázein seize.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD