bansheen.
/ˈbanʃiː/, U.S. /ˈbænʃi/, Irish English /bænˈʃiː/, /ˈbænʃiː/, Scottish English /ˌbanˈʃi/, /ˈbanʃi/ A supernatural being supposed by the peasantry of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands to wail under the windows of a house where one of the inmates is about to die. Certain families of rank were reputed to have a special ‘family spirit’ of this kind.
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the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > fairy or elf > [noun] > banshee
banshee1771
1771 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1769 160 The cries and shrieks of Benshi, or the Fairies wife.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 106 The fatal Ben-shie's boding scream.
1829 W. Scott Lett. Demonol. x. 348 The distinction of a banshie is only allowed to families of the pure Milesian stock.
1876 M. E. Braddon Joshua Haggard's Daughter II. 67 As if she had heard the family banshee shrieking at her.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1771- to be as red in the gills as a cock
- to be as red in the gills as a turkey cock
- to be as red in the gills as a turkey- cock
- to be asked in church
- to be at a grapple
- to be at a great under
- to be at a mischief
- to be at a muse
- to be at a nonplus
- to be at a point
- to be at a stand
- to be at a standstill
- to be at a word
- to be at a, in fee of, to, with
- to be at advantage
- to be at advantage of
- to be at agreement
- to be at agreement with someone
- to be at an advantage
- to be at an ebb
- to be at an end
- to be at an idle end
- to be at bay
- to be at blows
- to be at charge or at charges