syrinx

noun

syr·inx | \ˈsir-iŋ(k)s

\

plural syringes\sə-ˈriŋ-ˌgēz,

-ˈrin-ˌjēz \ or syrinxes

Definition of syrinx

1 [ Late Latin, from Greek ] : panpipe

2 [ New Latin, from Greek ] : the vocal organ of birds that is a special modification of the lower part of the trachea or of the bronchi or of both

Examples of syrinx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But that doesn’t affect all the other stuff — like straws, cigarette filter tips, diapers, tampon applicators, syringes, appliances, and blood vials. — Frank Kummer, Philly.com, "Shore towns ban plastic bags, say they dirty beaches, hurt wildlife," 24 May 2018 But palentologist Julia Clarke, while analyzing an ancient bird Vegavis iaai, which would have been alive during the reign of the Tyrannosaurus, discovered a syrinx, the organ that gives modern birds their wide range of honks and squawks. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "Dinosaurs Probably Didn't Roar, But Some Definitely Quacked," 13 Oct. 2016 The city of Philadelphia began distributing kits to residents that include a blue bulb for the front porch, no-trespassing signs, a tool to pick up used syringes, a needle disposal box and contact information for social services. — Michael Rubinkam, chicagotribune.com, "Retailers experiment with blue lights to deter drug use," 25 June 2018 The city of Philadelphia began distributing kits to residents that include a blue bulb for the front porch, no-trespassing signs, a tool to pick up used syringes, a needle disposal box and contact information for social services. — Fox News, "Retailers experiment with blue lights to deter drug use," 25 June 2018 In addition to concerns about the people traversing the alleys, individuals would dump everything from syringes to bulk trash like mattresses. — Megan Janetsky, azcentral, "'Highway for bad things': Phoenix tries closing alleys after neighbors complain of crime," 6 July 2018 After a search of the Nissan, the deputy found several plastic bags containing heroin, methamphetamine residue and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as five syringes and a contact lens case containing powder cocaine. — Madeleine Marr, miamiherald, "They stole an Amazon package of dog treats, cops say. Then the trouble started | Miami Herald," 2 Apr. 2018 Larry Hirsch is a physician who works for Becton Dickinson, a medical-technology company that manufactures the syringes and needles patients need to take insulin. — Christopher Elliott, chicagotribune.com, "For people with diabetes, air travel can present a host of challenges," 12 July 2018 That's led a handful of start-ups to develop alternatives to hypodermic syringes. — Mike Feibus, USA TODAY, "Afraid of needles? These start-ups are working on alternatives," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'syrinx.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Oct 2018

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The first known use of syrinx was in 1606

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More Definitions for syrinx

syrinx

noun

syr·inx | \ˈsir-iŋ(k)s

\

plural syringes\sə-ˈriŋ-ˌgēz,

-ˈrin-ˌjēz

\ or syrinxes

Medical Definition of syrinx

1 : the vocal organ of birds that is a special modification of the lower part of the trachea or of the bronchi or of both

2 : a pathological cavity in the brain or spinal cord especially in syringomyelia

WORD OF THE DAY

linchpin

one that holds something together

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