siren
1. si.ren \'si--r*n, for 3 also si--'re-n\ n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF sereine,
fr. LL sirena, fr. L siren, fr.] [NL, genus name, fr. L]Gk seire-n often
cap 1: one of a group of creatures in Greek mythology having the heads and
some times the breasts and arms of women but otherwise the forms of birds
that lured mariners to destruction by their singing 2a: a woman who sings
with bewitching sweetness 2b: a temptingly beautiful woman; esp : one who
is insidiously sedu ctive : TEMPTRESS 3a: an apparatus producing musical
tones esp. in acoustical studies by the rapid interruption of a current of
air, steam, or fluid by a perforated rotating disk 3b: a device often
electrically operated for producing a penetrating warnin g sound {ambulance
~ air-raid ~} 4a: any of a genus (Siren) of eel-shaped amphibians with
small foreli mbs but neither hind legs nor pelvis and with permanent
external gills as well as lungs 4b: SEA COW
2. si.ren also si.re.nic \'si--r*n\ \si--'ren-ik, -'re-n-\ aj : of or
relating to a siren : ENTICING, BEWITCHING {a @ song}