paranymph

[ par-uh-nimf ]

noun

1. a groomsman or a bridesmaid.
2. (in ancient Greece)
   1. a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride.
   2. the bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom.

paranymph

/ ˈpærəˌnɪmf /

noun

1. archaic.
   a bridesmaid or best man

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranymph¹

1585–95; < Late Latin paranymphus < Greek paránymphos (masculine and feminine) groomsman, bridesmaid, literally, person beside the bride. See para- ¹, nymph

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranymph¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek paranumphos, from para- ¹+ numphē bride (literally: person beside the bride)

Example Sentences

These crowds you complain of are evidence that I have not discharged the function of paranymph in vain.

From Project Gutenberg