mermaid: [14] A mermaid is literally a ‘seamaiden’. The word was coined on the basis of English mere [OE], which is now a little-used term for ‘lake’, but originally denoted ‘sea’ (it came ultimately from Indo-European *mori-, *mari- ‘sea’, which also produced German meer ‘sea’ and Latin mare ‘sea’, source of French mer and English marine). Mermaid served in due course as a model for merman [17]. => marine, mere
mermaid (n.)
mid-14c., mermayde, literally "maid of the sea," from Middle English mere "sea, lake" (see mere (n.)) + maid. Old English had equivalent merewif "water-witch" (see wife), meremenn "mermaid, siren." Tail-less in northern Europe; the fishy form is a medieval influence from classical sirens. A favorite sign of taverns and inns since at least early 15c. (in reference to the inn on Bread Street, Cheapside, London). Mermaid pie (1660s) was "a sucking pig baked whole in a crust."
双语例句
1. "I found a mermaid."— 'Don't be daft. There's no such thing.'
“我发现了一条美人鱼。”——“别说傻话了。哪有那种东西。”
来自柯林斯例句
2. The Mermaid Company will present'Hamlet'next week.
美人鱼剧团将于下周演出 " 哈姆雷特 ".
来自辞典例句
3. How popular would that girl be with the only mermaid mom!
和人鱼妈妈在一起,那个女孩会有多受欢迎!
来自电影对白
4. A mermaid's tail turns to legs when it's dry, even when it's dead.
