Where does “syren” come from?
syren (English) comes from English siren, from Middle English siren, from Old French sereine, from Latin sirēna, from Latin Sīrēn, from Ancient Greek Σειρήν, from Ancient Greek σειρά, from Proto-Indo-European twerH- — to enclose, fence in; to grab, seize; to stir.
syren (English): Archaic form of siren
Definitions
- Archaic form of siren
Ancestry of “syren”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | siren | One of a group of nymphs who lured mariners to... |
| 2 | Middle English | siren | — |
| 3 | Old French | sereine | — |
| 4 | Latin | sirēna | — |
| 5 | 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 |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | Σειρήν | Siren; Siren from Greek mythology |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | σειρά | cord, rope |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | twerH- | to enclose, fence in; to grab, seize; to stir |