A "banshee" is a mythical creature from Irish folklore, often depicted as a female spirit or fairy who wails or shrieks to foretell the death of a family member. The sound of her cry is said to be a harbinger of doom, and she is often connected to specific families, indicating that her appearance signifies an impending loss.
The word "banshee" comes from the Irish term "ban sídhe," which means "woman of the fairy mound." The "ban" means "woman," and "síde" or "sidh" refers to the fairy mounds, which are often associated with supernatural beings in Irish mythology.