harpy

noun5

1. •
   A mythological creature generally depicted as a bird-of-prey with the head of a maiden, a face pale with hunger and long claws on her hands personifying the destructive power of storm winds.

   • Both table and provisions vanish'd quite, With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard. — 1671
2. •
   (offensive) A shrewish woman.

   • But her most subtle wiles proved ineffectual in ridding her, even for a moment, of her harpy jailer[…] — 1927
3. •
   Any of a number of eagle-like birds of prey of the subfamily Harpiinae, especially the species Harpia harpyja.
4. •
   The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus).
5. •
   One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.

   • The harpies about me all pocket the pool. — 1772