Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAR'PY, n. [Fr. harpie; It. Sp. and Port. arpia; L. harpyia; Gr. άρπυια, from the root of άρπαζω, to seize or claw.]

1. In antiquity, the harpies were fabulous winged monsters, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture, with their feet and fingers armed with sharp claws. They were three in number, Aello, Ocypete, and Celeno. They were sent by Juno to plunder the table of Phineus. They are represented as rapacious and filthy animals. – Lempriere.
2. The largest of the eagle tribe; the Harpyia destructor, inhabiting Mexico and Brazil.
3. Any rapacious or ravenous animal; an extortioner; a plunderer.