- Harpy bat
- 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. [1913 Webster]
2. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner. [1913 Webster]
The harpies about all pocket the pool. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
{Harpy bat} (Zo["o]l.) (a) An East Indian fruit bat of the genus {Harpyia} (esp. {Harpyia cephalotes}), having prominent, tubular nostrils. (b) A small, insectivorous Indian bat ({Harpiocephalus harpia}).
{Harpy fly} (Zo["o]l.), the house fly. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
