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siren

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The definition of a siren is a wailing sound made by passing air through a rotating disc, or a beautiful woman who uses sex to attract men, or a mythical female creature that lures men into the sea.

(noun)

An example of a siren is the sound from a police car as it moves through traffic.
An example of a siren is an adult movie star.
An example of a siren is a mermaid.

See siren in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Gr. & Rom. Myth. any of several sea nymphs, represented as part bird and part woman, who lure sailors to their death on rocky coasts by seductive singing
a woman who uses her sexual attractiveness to entice or allure men; a woman who is considered seductive
1. an acoustical device in which steam or air is driven against a rotating, perforated disk so as to produce sound; specif., such a device producing a loud, often wailing sound, used esp. as a warning signal
2. an electronic device that produces a similar sound
any of a family (Sirenidae) of slender, eel-shaped salamanders without hind legs; esp., the mud eel

Origin: ME syrene < OFr < LL Sirena, for L Siren < Gr Seirēn < ? seira, cord, rope (hence, orig. ? one who snares, entangles) < IE base *twer-, to grasp

See siren in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A device in which compressed air or steam is driven against a rotating perforated disk to create a loud, often wailing sound as a signal or warning.
b. An electronic device producing a similar sound as a signal or warning: a police car siren.
Any of several salamanders of the family Sirenidae, such as the mud eel, having an eellike body, permanent external gills, small forelegs, and no hind limbs.

Origin:

Origin: French sirène

Origin: , from Old French sereine, Siren

Origin: , from Late Latin Sīrēna

Origin: , from Latin Sīrēn

Origin: , from Greek Seirēn

noun

Greek Mythology One of a group of sea nymphs who by their sweet singing lured mariners to destruction on the rocks surrounding their island.
siren A woman regarded as seductive and beautiful.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English serein

Origin: , from Old French sereine; see siren

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