Word of the Day

: September 6, 2010

paranymph

noun PAIR-uh-nimf

What It Means

1 : a friend going with a bridegroom to fetch home the bride in ancient Greece; also : the bridesmaid conducting the bride to the bridegroom

2 a : best man

b : bridesmaid

paranymph in Context

The bride and groom, accompanied by their paranymphs, stood before the officiating clergy.

Did You Know?

"Paranymph" resulted from the marriage of the Greek prefix "para-" and the Greek word for bride, "nymphē." The prefix "para-" can mean "beside" or "alongside of," as is apparent in the word "parallel," from the Greek word "parallēlos," a union of "para-" and the word "allēnōn," meaning "of one another." At one time, the word "paranymph" also was used for a person who solicits or speaks for another -- that is, an advocate -- but that sense is now very rare.