Siamese

[sahy-uh-meez, -mees]

adjective

1. of or relating to Siam, its people, or their language.

2. the former term for Thai.

3. twin; closely connected; similar.

4. Informal.,  dual; combined; twofold or two-way.

   a Siamese sprinkler.

noun

plural

Siamese 

1. a native of Siam.

2. former name of Thai.

3. Siamese cat.

4. (usually lowercase),  a standpipe placed outside a building close to ground level, having two or more openings so that fire engines can pump water to the sprinkler system of the building.

Siamese

/ ˌsaɪəˈmiːz /

noun

1. See Siamese cat

adjective

1. characteristic of, relating to, or being a Siamese twin

adjective

1. another word for Thai

Word History and Origins

Origin of Siamese¹

First recorded in 1685–95; Siam + -ese

Example Sentences

Thai nationalists decry what they say is cultural theft by "Claimbodia", while their Khmer counterparts have dubbed them "Siamese thieves".

From BBC

Fluffy orange cats, white cats with points or cats that look Siamese will get lots of suitors within an hour or two of her posting a photo — anywhere between five and 50 inquiries.

From Salon

"The Empress of Ayodhaya" tells a story about royal tensions in the Ayutthaya period, inspired by the story of a 16th century Siamese queen.

From BBC

It sounds frustrating, but passenger Holly Hennessy and her Siamese cat Captain took things in their stride.

From BBC

Then I remember we adopted a pair of Siamese cats that had become homeless somehow.

From Salon