si|re|ni|an

si|re|ni|an «sy REE nee uhn», noun, adjective.

–n.

any one of a small order of herbivorous sea mammals with forelimbs shaped like paddles and no hindlimbs. They are distinguished from whales by their rounded, unnotched tails. Manatees and dugongs are sirenians.

–adj.

of or having to do with this order.

╂[< New Latin Sirenia the order name (< Siren the typical genus < Latin sīrēn; see etym. under siren (Cf. ↑siren)) + English -an]