Harpy
noun
In mythology, a creature with a woman's head and a bird's body.
In the myth, the harpy would snatch away the food from the table.
Usage tips
Mythological
noun
A woman who is very unpleasant or nagging, often used in a mean way.
She became a harpy in her husband's eyes.
Often appears as...
- turn into a harpy
- behave like a harpy
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
In mythology, a creature with a woman's head and a bird's body.
In the myth, the harpy would snatch away the food from the table.
Usage tips
Mythological
noun
A woman who is very unpleasant or nagging, often used in a mean way.
She became a harpy in her husband's eyes.
Often appears as...
- turn into a harpy
- behave like a harpy
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Ancient Mythology
Used mainly in discussions about ancient Greek and Roman texts or stories.
The sailors feared the harpies would steal their meals as per the ancient myths.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Refers to mythical harpies as malicious; symbolizes unavoidable misfortune or punishment.
In the story, mariners considered the island cursed by a harpy.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Often appears in literature as a metaphor for someone bringing ruin or stealing joy.
Her mother-in-law was the harpy in their merry gatherings.
Pro Tip 1/3Ancient Mythology
Used mainly in discussions about ancient Greek and Roman texts or stories.
The sailors feared the harpies would steal their meals as per the ancient myths.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Refers to mythical harpies as malicious; symbolizes unavoidable misfortune or punishment.
In the story, mariners considered the island cursed by a harpy.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Often appears in literature as a metaphor for someone bringing ruin or stealing joy.
Her mother-in-law was the harpy in their merry gatherings.
Pro Tip 1/3Ancient Mythology
Used mainly in discussions about ancient Greek and Roman texts or stories.
The sailors feared the harpies would steal their meals as per the ancient myths.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Refers to mythical harpies as malicious; symbolizes unavoidable misfortune or punishment.
In the story, mariners considered the island cursed by a harpy.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Device
Often appears in literature as a metaphor for someone bringing ruin or stealing joy.
Her mother-in-law was the harpy in their merry gatherings.
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Video examples
Every Animal Deserves a...
to funding from Geographic we got the harpy eagle they crest when they're nervous or agitated angry this one would never crest yes we were too sweet he tried to photograph he's the only one in the world that is trained to ride on the fist and so he's with a keeper all time
Video examples
Sloths! The strange life...
They become one with the trees. And we think that their movements are so slow, they slip under the radar of the monstrous harpy as it's flying about the canopy, scanning for action. Sloths are stealth ninjas, and they rarely leave the safety of the canopy --
Video examples
The myth of Jason and...
until stopping at the sight of an old man surrounded by a swirl of harpies. This was Phineas, a seer cursed by Zeus to endure old age, blindness, and endless torture for giving away his prophecies. Moved by his plight, the wind brothers set upon the flock,
Video examples
Rare Harpy Eagle Caught...
we've got our view of the harpy eagle this is something I honestly never thought I'd ever get a chance to see the most powerful one of the largest birds in the whole world and also one of the rarest people spend their whole lives in
Video examples
Every Animal Deserves a...
to funding from Geographic we got the harpy eagle they crest when they're nervous or agitated angry this one would never crest yes we were too sweet he tried to photograph he's the only one in the world that is trained to ride on the fist and so he's with a keeper all time
Video examples
Sloths! The strange life...
They become one with the trees. And we think that their movements are so slow, they slip under the radar of the monstrous harpy as it's flying about the canopy, scanning for action. Sloths are stealth ninjas, and they rarely leave the safety of the canopy --
Video examples
The myth of Jason and...
until stopping at the sight of an old man surrounded by a swirl of harpies. This was Phineas, a seer cursed by Zeus to endure old age, blindness, and endless torture for giving away his prophecies. Moved by his plight, the wind brothers set upon the flock,
Video examples
Rare Harpy Eagle Caught...
we've got our view of the harpy eagle this is something I honestly never thought I'd ever get a chance to see the most powerful one of the largest birds in the whole world and also one of the rarest people spend their whole lives in
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Heather Cox Richardson
American Historian
In the individualist ideology, a man is responsible for his wife and children. This relegates women to domestic roles as wives and mothers protected by their menfolk, or silences them as special interest harpies demanding government benefits that will destroy individualist men.
Quote examples
Heather Cox Richardson
American Historian
In the individualist ideology, a man is responsible for his wife and children. This relegates women to domestic roles as wives and mothers protected by their menfolk, or silences them as special interest harpies demanding government benefits that will destroy individualist men.
Example 1 of 1
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