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harpies

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harpies


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Harpy  \Har"py\,  n.;  pl  {Harpies}.  [F.  harpie,  L.  harpyia,  Gr 
  ?,  from  the  root  of  ?  to  snatch,  to  seize.  Gf  {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 
 
  Both  table  and  provisions  vanished  guite.  With  sound 
  of  harpies'  wings  and  talons  heard.  --Milton. 
 
  2.  One  who  is  rapacious  or  ravenous;  an  extortioner. 
 
  The  harpies  about  all  pocket  the  pool.  --Goldsmith. 
 
  3.  (Zo["o]l.) 
  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. 
 
  {Harpy  bat}  (Zo["o]l.) 
  a  An  East  Indian  fruit  bat  of  the  genus  {Harpyia}  (esp. 
  {H.  cerphalotes}),  having  prominent,  tubular  nostrils. 
  b  A  small  insectivorous  Indian  bat  ({Harpiocephalus 
  harpia}). 
 
  {Harpy  fly}  (Zo["o]l.),  the  house  fly. 




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