Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female spirit in Irish folklore whose wailing or shrieking is believed to warn of an impending death in a family: A banshee is a supernatural being from Celtic mythology, specifically Irish folklore, traditionally regarded as an omen of death. Her appearance or, more commonly, the sound of her mournful cry is said to foretell that a family member is about to die.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old tale spoke of a banshee whose cry could be heard from the misty hills before a tragedy.
  • In the story, the family knew of the old man's fate when they heard the banshee's wail outside the window.

Advanced Usage

• "to scream/wail like a banshee": This is a common simile in English to describe an extremely loud, piercing, and often frightening scream or cry.
  • The alarm went off, screeching like a banshee in the middle of the night.
  • The toddler started wailing like a banshee when his toy was taken away.

Variants and Related Words

• Bean sídhe (n): This is the original Irish Gaelic term from which "banshee" is derived. It literally means "woman of the fairy mound" or "woman of the síde" (the fairy folk).
• Banshee's wail (n phrase): A specific reference to the characteristic cry of the banshee.

Synonyms

• Harbinger of death: A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of death.
• Omen: An event regarded as a portent of good or evil.
• Wraith: A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death.

Idioms and Phrases

• To have a banshee's voice: To have a very loud, shrill, or piercing voice (often used humorously or critically).
  • She can project her voice across the entire stadium; she's got a banshee's voice.

Noun

1. (Irish folklore) a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death