In Greek mythology, the Erinyes, appeasingly called the Eumenides (“kindly ones”). They were the daughters of Earth or of Night, represented as winged maidens with serpents twisted in their hair. They punished such crimes as filial disobedience, murder, inhospitality, and oath-breaking, but were also associated with fertility.
(Classical mythology) The hideous snake-haired monsters (usually three in number) who pursued unpunished criminals; Also called: Eumenides, Erinyes.