n. (pl. -ies) 1 mythological monster with a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws.

- grasping unscrupulous person. [greek harpuiai snatchers]

v. (-ies, -ied) 1 ravage or despoil.

- harass. [old english]

adj. - unpleasantly rough or sharp, esp. To the senses.

- severe, cruel. harshen v. Harshly adv. Harshness n. [low german]

contr. Has not.

—n. Urgency of movement or action; excessive hurry. —v. (-ting) archaic = *hasten 1. in haste quickly, hurriedly. Make haste hurry; be quick. [french from germanic]

adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 hurried; acting too quickly.

- said, made, or done too quickly or too soon; rash. hastily adv. Hastiness n.

n. - opening in a wall between a kitchen and dining-room for serving food.

- opening or door in an aircraft etc.

- a = *hatchway. B cover for this. [old english]

- —v. - a (often foll. By out) (of a young bird or fish etc.) Emerge from the egg. B (of an egg) produce a young animal.

- incubate (an egg).

- (also foll. By up) devise (a plot etc.). —n. - act of hatching.

- brood hatched. [earlier hacche, from germanic]

- v. Mark with close parallel lines. hatching n. [french hacher: related to *hash1]

n. (also halm) 1 stalk or stem.

- stalks or stems of peas, beans, etc., collectively. [old english]

—v. - (of a ghost) visit (a place) regularly.

- frequent (a place).

- linger in the mind of. —n. Place frequented by a person or animal. [french from germanic]

couture n. High fashion; leading fashion houses or their products. [french]

- cuisine n. High-class cookery. [french]