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May 2, 2008

This week's theme
Words derived from the names of mythical creatures

This week's words
chimera
argus
centaur
sphinx
harpy

This week's comments
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Next week's theme
Eponyms

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harpy

harpy (HAR-pee) noun

1. A predatory person.
2. A bad-tempered woman.

After the Harpies, monsters in Greek mythology, who had a woman's head and a bird's body. The gods ordered them to snatch food from Phineus, a king who was punished for revealing secrets. From Greek harpazein (to snatch).

See more usage examples of harpy in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

"Longoria Parker comes across as a shrill harpy in her pivotal role, hounding Ashley into ending the affair."
Sam Cannon; She's No Angel; Bristol Evening Post (UK); Jan 31, 2008.

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