Middle English Dictionary Entry
Arpīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Arpīe n. |
| Etymology | L harpyia, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A harpy; fig. a rapacious person [quot. c1475].
Associated quotations
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3290 : He Arpies slow, the cruel briddes felle.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.584 : He fledde arpies [vr. Aripes], briddes of Archadye.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.m.7.37 : He smote the briddes that hyghten Arpiis with certein arwes.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.280 : And arpyas wiþ arowes eke he schet.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)33 : Hercules..destroied iii wilde bestis whech were clepid Arpie.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Aesop (Hrl 2251)730 : Isopos iurrours doth discryve, Callith theym Arpies.