syrinx

[sir-ingks]

noun

plural

syringes, syrinxes 

1. Ornithology.,  the vocal organ of birds, situated at or near the bifurcation of the trachea into the bronchi.

2. (initial capital letter),  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

/ 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

Syrinx

²

/ 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

Other Word 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

These can be difficult to come by in Fiji, where pharmacies, under police pressure, often demand prescriptions for syringes, and there is a lack of needle-syringe programmes.

From BBC

The idea was to contain HIV infections among heroin users sharing syringes.

From Salon

Laid out on a table is the haul of drugs, syringes, phones and other highly-prized items intended for inmates.

From BBC

"There'll be rapid tests, suture kits, syringes, oxygen supplies, vaccines and a small fridge for storing medicines," it explained in a statement.

From BBC

One clinic attempted to extract the filler using syringes.

From BBC