What is banshee meaning?

Banshee is a female spirit from Irish folklore, believed to be the messenger of death. Banshees are said to appear as beautiful women or old hags with long grey hair and red eyes. They wail and scream mournfully, predicting the deaths of prominent Irish families. According to legend, if someone hears the banshee's keening, it means that a member of their family is about to die. The banshee's cry is said to be very haunting and terrifying, and it is believed that only those with Irish ancestry can hear it.