mermaiden

English

Etymology

From Middle English meremaiden (“mermaid”), from mere (“mere, sea”) + maiden (“maiden”), equivalent to mer- +‎ maiden. Compare Old English meremennen (“mermaid, siren”). More at mere, maiden.

Noun

mermaiden (plural mermaidens)

1. A mermaid; a maiden of the sea; a siren.
   • 1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 156:

     The Neck here his harp in the glass-castle plays,
     And Mermaidens comb out their green hair always,
     And bleach here their shining white clothes.

Synonyms

• mergirl, merlady, mermaid, merwoman