Paranymph

Paranymph

A paranymph is a ceremonial assistant and or coach in a ceremony. In ancient Greek weddings the bride and bridegroom were attended by paranymphs, and from this use it has been generalized to refer to attendants of doctoral students, best men and bridesmaids in weddings and the like. It can refer specifically to the friend of a bridegroom tasked with accompanying him in a chariot to fetch the bride home.

An obscure use of the word is as a spokesman for the bride or bridegroom, such as Cyrano de Bergerac towards Roxanne.

The word may refer also to a thought that is revealed only by a slip of the tongue, such as a
Freudian slip, or a condition where such slippage is endemic.


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  • Paranymph — Par a*nymph, n. [L. paranymphus, Gr. ?; para beside, near + ? a bride: cf. F. paranymphe.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) (a) A friend of the bridegroom who went with him in his chariot to fetch home the bride. Milton. (b) The bridesmaid who conducted the bride …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paranymph — [par′ə nimf΄] n. [LL paranymphus < Gr paranymphos < para , beside (see PARA 1) + nymphē, bride: see NUBILE] 1. in ancient Greece, a groomsman who escorted the bridegroom when he went to bring his bride home, or a bridesmaid who escorted the …   English World dictionary

  • paranymph — noun Etymology: Late Latin paranymphus, from Greek paranymphos, from para + nymphē bride more at nuptial Date: 1600 1. a friend going with a bridegroom to fetch home the bride in ancient Greece; also the bridesmaid conducting the bride to the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • paranymph — /par euh nimf /, n. 1. a groomsman or a bridesmaid. 2. (in ancient Greece) a. a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride. b. the bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom. [1585 95; < LL paranymphus …   Universalium

  • paranymph — Synonyms and related words: Maecenas, abettor, acolyte, adjutant, admirer, advocate, aficionado, agent, aid, aide, aide de camp, aider, alter ego, alternate, amicus curiae, angel, apologist, assistant, attendant, attorney, auxiliary, backer,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • paranymph — para·nymph …   English syllables

  • paranymph — par•a•nymph [[t]ˈpær əˌnɪmf[/t]] n. 1) a groomsman or a bridesmaid 2) anq (in ancient Greece) a) a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride b) a bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

  • paranymph — 1. The best man or bridesmaid at a wedding 2. One who assists or speaks on behalf of another, particulary in love matters …   Grandiloquent dictionary

  • paranymph — /ˈpærənɪmf/ (say paruhnimf) noun 1. a best man or a bridesmaid. 2. (in ancient Greece) a. a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride. b. the bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom. {Greek paranymphos …  

  • paranymph —   n. archaic, best man; bridesmaid …   Dictionary of difficult words

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