Harpy (Noun)
Meaning 1
(Greek mythology) vicious winged monster; often depicted as a bird with the head of a woman.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The harpy swooped down from the sky, its sharp talons extended as it prepared to attack its prey.
- In Greek mythology, the harpies were often depicted as cruel and merciless creatures, feared by both gods and mortals alike.
- The artist's sculpture of a harpy was a masterpiece, capturing the creature's fierce beauty and terrifying gaze.
- According to legend, the harpies were responsible for tormenting the blind prophet Phineus, stealing his food and leaving him to starve.
- The harpy's wings beat fiercely as it hovered above the battlefield, its eyes scanning the carnage below with a mixture of curiosity and hunger.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Any of various fruit bats of the genus Nyctimene distinguished by nostrils drawn out into diverging tubes.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The harpy, a large fruit bat, flew through the dark forest, using echolocation to navigate.
- In the dimly lit cave, a group of harpies hung upside down from the ceiling, their distinctive nostrils flaring as they breathed.
- The conservationist spent years studying the harpy, learning about its unique characteristics and habits.
- As the sun set over the tropical island, a harpy took to the skies, its wings beating slowly as it searched for fruit.
- The local villagers believed the harpy to be a good omen, and would often leave fruit offerings in the hopes of attracting the bats to their area.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
A malicious woman with a fierce temper.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- She had a reputation for being a harpy, and no one wanted to cross her.
- The politician's wife was notorious for her acid tongue and harpy-like behavior.
- His mother was a bit of a harpy, always yelling and complaining about something.
- Her neighbors avoided her, intimidated by her reputation as a harpy who wouldn't hesitate to claw them apart with her words.
- After her divorce, she was transformed into a harpy, determined to take revenge on her ex-husband for his past wrongdoings.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Large black-and-white crested eagle of tropical America.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The harpy eagle is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, with a wingspan of up to 7 feet.
- In the rainforests of Central and South America, the harpy eagle is a formidable hunter, swooping down on unsuspecting sloths and monkeys.
- The harpy eagle's distinctive crest and slate-gray feathers make it a striking sight, even among other eagles.
- Conservation efforts are underway to protect the harpy eagle and its habitat, as the species is threatened by deforestation and hunting.
- In some indigenous cultures of the Amazon, the harpy eagle is revered as a symbol of strength and power, and is often depicted in traditional art and storytelling.