paranymph
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English
Etymology
From Middle French paranymphe, from Latin paranymphus, from Ancient Greek παράνυμφος (paránumphos, “friend of bridegroom”), from παρα- (para-, “para-”) + νύμφη (númphē, “bride”).
Pronunciation
Noun
paranymph (plural paranymphs)
- (archaic) A friend of the bridegroom; a best man; a bridesmaid.
- 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, .”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: J M for John Starkey , →OCLC, page 63, line 631:
- Thy Paranymph, worthleſs to thee compar'd, […]
- (archaic) An ally or spokesman; someone who speaks in support of someone else.
- 1653, Jeremy Taylor, “Twenty-five Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Winter Half-year, : Sermon XVII. The Marriage Ring; or, The Mysteriousness and Duties of Marriage. Part I.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. , volume V, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. ; and Richard Priestley, , published 1822, →OCLC, page 257:
- But it is the basest of all when lust is the paranymph, and solicits the suit, and makes the contract, and joins the hands; […]