siren
siren Lexical Profile
siren Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A device that produces a loud, piercing, and often wailing sound, typically used as a warning signal or alarm on emergency vehicles and buildings.
"The piercing wail of a police siren echoed through the empty city streets."
In Greek mythology, one of a group of dangerous creatures, usually depicted as women or part-bird women, who lured nearby sailors to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island with enchanting music and singing.
"Odysseus ordered his crew to plug their ears with beeswax so they would not be drawn into the sea by the song of the sirens."
An alluring, dangerously fascinating, and seductive woman.
"She played the role of a classic Hollywood siren, captivating everyone who crossed her path."
• Rhymes for siren
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English sirene, via Old French and Latin from ancient Greek Seirēn (Σειρήν), referring to the mythological creatures who lured sailors to their doom. The modern application to acoustic alarms was coined in the late 18th century by Scottish natural philosopher John Robison, whose pneumatic instrument could produce musical sounds underwater.