Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Harpy \Har"py\ (h[aum]r"p[y^]), n.; pl. Harpies (-p[i^]z). [F.
harpie, L. harpyia, Gr. "a`rpyia, from the root of "arpa`zein
to snatch, to seize. Cf. 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.
[1913 Webster]
Both table and provisions vanished quite.
With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
--Milton.
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2. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
[1913 Webster]
The harpies about all pocket the pool. --Goldsmith.
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3. (Zool.)
(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.
[1913 Webster]
Harpy bat (Zool.)
(a) An East Indian fruit bat of the genus Harpyia (esp.
Harpyia cephalotes), having prominent, tubular
nostrils.
(b) A small, insectivorous Indian bat (Harpiocephalusharpia).
Harpy fly (Zool.), the house fly.
[1913 Webster] Harquebus
harpy bat
n : any of various fruit bats of the genus Nyctimene
distinguished by nostrils drawn out into diverging tubes
[syn: harpy, tube-nosed bat, tube-nosed fruit bat]
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