harpy

Definitions

1. A mythological creature generally depicted as a bird-of-prey with the head of a maiden, a face pale with hunger and long claws on her hands personifying the destructive power of storm winds.
2. A shrewish woman.
   derogatory
3. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
4. Any of a number of eagle-like birds of prey of the subfamily Harpiinae, especially the species Harpia harpyja.
5. The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).

Equivalents

Examples

“Both table and provisions vanish'd quite, With sound⟳ of harpies' wings and talons heard.”

“But her most subtle wiles proved ineffectual in ridding her, even for a moment, of her harpy jailer[…]”

“[…] Ed Miliband has yet to come⟳ up with a definition of “the squeezed middle” that excludes anyone, but you can bet⟳ your bottom dollar he has these laptop-wielding harpies in mind⟳.”

“c. 1772, Oliver Goldsmith, letter to Mrs. Bunbury The harpies about me all pocket the pool.”

CEFR level