har ‧ py /ˈhɑːpi $ ˈhɑːrpi/ BrE AmE noun ( plural harpies ) [countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: Harpy name of a creature in ancient Greek stories with the head of a woman and the body of a bird (16-21 centuries) , from Greek harpyia 'seizer' ]
1 . literary a cruel woman
2 . Harpy a cruel creature in ancient Greek stories, with the head and upper body of a woman and the wings and feet of a bird