banshee

or ban·shie

[ ban-shee, ban-shee ]

noun

1. (in Irish folklore) a spirit in the form of a wailing woman who appears to or is heard by members of a family as a sign that one of them is about to die.

banshee

/ ˈbænʃiː; bænˈʃiː /

noun

1. (in Irish folklore) a female spirit whose wailing warns of impending death

Word History and Origins

Origin of banshee¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from Irish bean sídhe “woman of a fairy mound”; bean “woman” (from Old Irish ben; queen ) + sídhe “of a fairy mound” (from Old Irish síde, genitive of síd “fairy mound”; sídh )

Word History and Origins

Origin of banshee¹

C18: from Irish Gaelic bean sídhe , literally: woman of the fairy mound

Example Sentences

When he heard the news he says he “wailed like a banshee for 20 minutes”.

From BBC

At the same time, he continues to throw himself a great pity party, wraps himself in his solipsistic view of victimhood, wailing like a banshee and gnashing his teeth in anger.

From Salon

At times sweet naif, at times screaming banshee, she seems not quite human, like the strange half-duck/half-dog creature that follows her around the scientist’s house.

From Seattle Times

On “Devil’s Advocate” from the recently released album “sneek,” Gallant’s lilting croon ushers in Martin’s smooth sax while a sound like a banshee’s lullaby flurries in the upper register — in a good way.

From Los Angeles Times

It worked to the detriment of the Republican Party in local and state elections across the country on Tuesday – and that is why Donald Trump and his supporters continue to wail like banshees.

From Salon

Related Words

• demon
• devil
• phantom
• shadow
• soul
• specter
• vampire
• vision