siren

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)

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

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See siren in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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

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

Origin:

Origin: Middle English serein

Origin: , from Old French sereine; see siren

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