\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.