harpy

(här)

noun pl. harpies

  1. Gr. Myth. any of several hideous, filthy, rapacious winged monsters with the head and trunk of a woman and the tail, legs, and talons of a bird
  2. a relentless, greedy, or grasping person
  3. a shrewish woman
  4. harpy eagle

Origin: MFr harpie < L harpyia < Gr harpyiai, pl., lit., snatchers < harpazein, to snatch < IE *serp- < base *ser-, sickle, curved hook > L sarpere, to prune

See harpy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. Har·pies
  1. Greek Mythology One of several loathsome, voracious monsters with the head and trunk of a woman and the tail, wings, and talons of a bird.
  2. harpy A predatory person.
  3. harpy A shrewish woman.

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