syrinx

[ sir-ingks ]

noun

, plural sy·rin·ges [s, uh, -, rin, -jeez], syr·inx·es.

1. Ornithology. the vocal organ of birds, situated at or near the bifurcation of the trachea into the bronchi.
2. (initial capital letter) Classical Mythology. a mountain nymph of Arcadia who was transformed, in order to protect her chastity from Pan, into the reed from which Pan then made the panpipe.
3. a panpipe.
4. a narrow corridor in an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Syrinx

¹

/ ˈsɪrɪŋks /

noun

1. Greek myth a nymph who was changed into a reed to save her from the amorous pursuit of Pan. From this reed Pan then fashioned his musical pipes

syrinx

²

/ sɪˈrɪndʒɪəl; ˈsɪrɪŋks /

noun

1. the vocal organ of a bird, which is situated in the lower part of the trachea
2. (in classical Greek music) a panpipe or set of panpipes
3. anatomy another name for the Eustachian tube

Derived Forms

• syringeal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of syrinx¹

1600–10; (< Latin ) < Greek sŷrinx pipe, pipelike object

Word History and Origins

Origin of syrinx¹

C17: via Latin from Greek surinx pipe

Example Sentences

She spent £80 on four pre-filled syringes with instructions to use one a week for four weeks.

From BBC

It led to the development of insulin pens, which soon replaced syringes as the way to take the drug for millions of people.

From BBC

But he said he and his wife have made regular early morning visits to the playground to remove syringes before children arrive to play on the swings, slides and climbing structure.

From Los Angeles Times

The kit cost £100 for a four-week course and came with needles, a liquid that was being kept in a domestic fridge, syringes, alcohol wipes and the semaglutide in white powder form.

From BBC

El Dorado County cannot enforce its ban on programs that hand out clean syringes as a legal battle continues between the county and the California Department of Public Health, a Superior Court judge has ruled.

From Los Angeles Times