Where does “siren” come from?
Siren comes from Middle English siren, from Latin Siren, from Ancient Greek Σειρήν, referring to a mythological creature that lured sailors with enchanting song.
siren (English): One of a group of nymphs who lured mariners to...
Definitions
- One of a group of nymphs who lured mariners to...
Ancestry of “siren”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | siren | — |
| 2 | Old French | sereine | — |
| 3 | Latin | sirēna | — |
| 4 | Latin | Sīrēn | a siren, one of the mythical birds with faces of virgins, that dwelt on the southern coast of Italy, where, with their sweet voices, they enticed ashore those who were sailing by, and then killed them |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | Σειρήν | Siren; Siren from Greek mythology |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | σειρά | cord, rope |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | twerH- | to enclose, fence in; to grab, seize; to stir |