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Harpy - Dictionary Entry

Harpy

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈhɑːrpi/

Definitions

  1. (Mythology) A winged monster with a woman’s face, known for stealing food and tormenting humans.
  2. (Derogatory) A scolding, nagging, or ill-tempered woman.

Usage Examples

  • In Greek mythology, a harpy would snatch away the souls of the dead.
  • The tabloid unfairly portrayed her as a harpy for speaking her mind.

Etymology

From Latin *Harpyia*, from Greek *Harpuia*, meaning “snatcher” or “swift robber.”

Synonyms

Shrew, termagant, nag, virago

Antonyms

Peacemaker, gentlewoman, conciliator

Translations

LanguageTranslationPronunciation
Spanisharpía[arˈpi.a]
Frenchharpie[aʁ.pi]
GermanHarpyie[haʁˈpyːə]
Italianarpia[arˈpi.a]
Portugueseharpia[aʁˈpiɐ]
Russianгарпия[ˈɡarpʲɪjə]
Chinese哈比[hā bǐ]
Japaneseハーピー[Hāpī]
Korean하피[Hapi]
Arabicهاربي[hārbi]
Hindiहरपी[harpī]
Bengaliহার্পি[hārpi]
Tamilஹார்பி[hārpi]
Teluguహార్పీ[hārpī]
Marathiहरपी[harpī]
Gujaratiહાર્પી[hārpī]
Kannadaಹಾರ್ಪಿ[hārpi]
Malayalamഹാർപ്പി[hārppi]
Punjabiਹਾਰਪੀ[hārpī]
Urduہارپی[hārpī]
Odiaହାର୍ପି[hārpi]
Assameseহাৰ্পি[hārpi]
Maithiliहरपी[harpī]
Sanskritहर्पी[harpī]
Rajasthaniहर्पी[harpī]
Chhattisgarhiहरपी[harpī]
Konkaniहर्पी[harpī]
Dogriਹਾਰਪੀ[hārpī]
Sindhiهارپي[hārpī]

Regional Pronunciation Variations

  • US English: /ˈhɑrpi/
  • UK English: /ˈhɑːpi/

Historical Usage

Historically, "harpy" referred to fearsome creatures in classical mythology. In literature, the term evolved to metaphorically describe harsh or unpleasant women, especially in early modern English texts.

Cultural Nuances

The mythical harpy was a symbol of punishment and divine retribution. In modern use, calling someone a "harpy" is pejorative and often reflects societal views on gender and power dynamics. It's a term that invites careful use in contemporary contexts.

More Information

In mythology, harpies were wind spirits turned monstrous beings sent to torment wrongdoers. They often appeared in Greek tales, such as in the story of Phineus. Over time, the image of the harpy transformed in Western culture, becoming a symbol of shrill or vindictive femininity in literature and media. Today, while still appearing in fantasy genres, the term also carries sociolinguistic weight and is used more cautiously due to its negative implications about gender stereotypes.

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