mermaid

Etymology

From Middle English mermayde (“maid of the sea”), from mere (“sea, lake”) + maid, equivalent to mer- + maid. Cognate with Dutch meermeid (“mermaid”), Middle High German mermaget, mermeit (“mermaid”, > German Meermagd, Meermädchen (“mermaid”)). Compare Old English meremenn, meremennen, meremenin (“mermaid, siren”).

noun

  1. A mythological creature with a woman's head and upper body, and a tail of a fish.
    Holonym: merfolk
  2. (as a modifier) Coloured a brilliant turquoise.
    mermaid smoothie
  3. (obsolete) A prostitute.

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