n.; pl. Harpies [ 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 (Thrasaëtus 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 ]
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