mermaid

Definition

A mythological creature with a woman's head and upper body, and a tail of a fish.

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”).

Example Sentences

• "Search the depth, & ſee that variety of Sea monſters & fiſhes, Mare-maids, Sea men, Horſes, &c. which it affords."
• "People that are drowned, and whose bodies are not founds are believed to have been taken into the dwellings of the Mermaids."
• "a mermaid smoothie"