siamese
siamese Lexical Profile
siamese Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Designating a popular breed of domestic cat characterized by a slender body, pale coat with darker points, and blue eyes.
"Their Siamese kitten is remarkably vocal and follows them from room to room."
Of or relating to Siam (now Thailand), its people, its culture, or its language.
"The museum features an extensive collection of nineteenth-century Siamese royal artifacts."
Closely connected, paired, or joined together in structure or function, especially of pipes, hoses, or twin parts.
"Firefighters attached two hoses to the siamese connection on the front of the building."
• noun
A short-haired breed of domestic cat native to Thailand, having a slender body, blue almond-shaped eyes, and a pale coat with darker points on the ears, face, tail, and feet.
"She adopted a blue-eyed Siamese that loves perching on the highest bookshelf."
A native or inhabitant of Siam (the former name of Thailand), or a person of Thai descent.
"Historical accounts describe how the Siamese defended their kingdom's sovereignty during the colonial era."
The Tai-Kadai language spoken in Thailand; Thai (used especially in historical contexts).
"The nineteenth-century diplomat spent several years in Bangkok studying Siamese and translating royal decrees."
Word Nuance & Usage
Following the official renaming of Siam to Thailand in 1939, "Thai" has largely replaced "Siamese" for the modern nation, its people, and its language, though "Siamese" remains standard in historical contexts and fixed terms like "Siamese cat."
• Rhymes for siamese
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 17th century from Siam (the former name of Thailand, derived via Portuguese from Sanskrit Śyāma) plus the suffix -ese; its sense of 'closely connected' arose in the 19th century from Chang and Eng Bunker, famous conjoined twins born in Siam.