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View synonyms for

siren

[ sahy-ruhn ]

noun

  1. Classical Mythology. one of several sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, who lure mariners to destruction by their seductive singing.
  2. a seductively beautiful or charming woman, especially one who beguiles men:

    a siren of the silver screen.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. an acoustical instrument for producing musical tones, consisting essentially of a disk pierced with holes arranged equidistantly in a circle, rotated over a jet or stream of compressed air, steam, or the like, so that the stream is alternately interrupted and allowed to pass.
  4. an implement of this kind used as a whistle, fog signal, or warning device.
  5. any of several aquatic, eellike salamanders of the family Sirenidae, having permanent external gills, small forelimbs, and no posterior limbs.


adjective

  1. of or like a siren.
  2. seductive or tempting, especially dangerously or harmfully:

    the siren call of adventure.

verb (used without object)

  1. to go with the siren sounding, as a fire engine.

verb (used with object)

  1. to allure in the manner of a siren.

siren

/ ˈɪəə /

noun

  1. a device for emitting a loud wailing sound, esp as a warning or signal, typically consisting of a rotating perforated metal drum through which air or steam is passed under pressure
  2. sometimes capital Greek myth one of several sea nymphs whose seductive singing was believed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks the nymphs inhabited
    1. a woman considered to be dangerously alluring or seductive
    2. ( as modifier )

      her siren charms

  3. any aquatic eel-like salamander of the North American family Sirenidae, having external gills, no hind limbs, and reduced forelimbs
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ۱· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of siren1

1300–50; Middle English sereyn < Old French sereine < Late Latin īŧԲ, Latin īŧ < Greek 𾱰ḗn
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Word History and Origins

Origin of siren1

C14: from Old French sereine, from Latin īŧ, from Greek 𾱰ŧ
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mr Kelly called for a siren system to be installed and for the local community to be involved in any future exercises.

From

Barrie heard the wail of sirens and roar of helicopters overhead but had no idea what had happened until a neighbour knocked on the door and broke the news.

From

“All of a sudden they had the helicopters go in and they had the police sirens, then there was probably five shots, bop bop bop bop bop,” she said.

From

On his opponents, he said there are "siren voices that want to knock us off course" and added "they will also make up any old nonsense and lies to pursue their ideological agenda".

From

Legendary Swedish screen siren Greta Garbo declared in 1941 at the ripe old age of 36 that she would be taking a "temporary" retirement.

From

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sireSirena