Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, powerful eagle of tropical America: A bird of prey with a distinctive black-and-white crest, known scientifically as Harpia harpyja.
   • A type of fruit bat: Any bat of the genus Nyctimene, characterized by tubular, diverging nostrils.
   • A mythological monster: In Greek and Roman mythology, a vicious, winged creature often depicted with the body of a bird and the head of a woman.
   • A shrewish, predatory woman: A derogatory term for a malicious, fierce-tempered, or grasping woman.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Eagle):
  • The harpy is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world.
• Noun (Bat):
  • The tube-nosed fruit bat is sometimes called a harpy.
• Noun (Mythology):
  • In the story, the heroes were tormented by harpies who stole their food.
• Noun (Derogatory):
  • He called his demanding boss a harpy.

Advanced Usage

• Capitalization: When referring specifically to the mythological creatures, "Harpy" is often capitalized.
  • Aeolus commanded the Harpies to plague the seer Phineus.

Variants and Related Words

• Harpy eagle (n): The full common name for the large tropical eagle.
  • The harpy eagle's talons are extremely strong.
• Harpy bat (n): An alternative name for the tube-nosed fruit bat.

Synonyms

• Noun (Eagle): Bird of prey, raptor.
• Noun (Mythology): Monster, fury.
• Noun (Derogatory): Shrew, termagant, virago, hag.

Related Idioms

• No specific idioms are uniquely formed with the word "harpy." Its use is typically literal (for the animals) or a standalone metaphorical insult.

Noun

1. large black-and-white crested eagle of tropical America
2. any of various fruit bats of the genus Nyctimene distinguished by nostrils drawn out into diverging tubes
3. (Greek mythology) vicious winged monster; often depicted as a bird with the head of a woman
4. a malicious woman with a fierce temper