banshee
pronunciation
How to pronounce banshee in British English:
UK [bænˈʃi:]
How to pronounce banshee in American English:
US [ˈbænʃi]
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- Noun:
- (Irish folklore) a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death
Word Origin
- banshee (n.)
- 1771, from phonetic spelling of Irish bean sidhe "female of the Elves," from bean "woman" (from PIE *gwen-; see queen) + sidhe, from sith "fairy" or sid "fairy mound." Specifically, one who calls to the spirits of the dead. Sidhe sometimes is confused with sithe, genitive of sith "peace."
Example
- 1. Banshee was her permanent mug shot every morning .
- 2. I had always found banshee to be inferior to rhythmbox .
- 3. His banshee -- bonded for life -- flaps down to a landing in front of him .
- 4. I shrieked like a banshee .
- 5. I hear that banshee 's a real screamer !