Search Result for "harpies": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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. [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 [ae]ruginosus). (b) A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged American eagle (Thrasa["e]tus 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