Where does “sea-nymph” come from?
sea-nymph (English) comes from English sea, from Middle English see, from Old English sǣ, from Proto-West Germanic saiwi, from Proto-Germanic saiwiz, from Proto-Germanic sīhwaną, from Proto-Indo-European seykʷ-, from Proto-Indo-European sey- — to be wet; dribble; run; to stretch one's arm;...
sea-nymph (English): A nymph residing in the sea; a Nereid
Definitions
- A nymph residing in the sea; a Nereid
Ancestry of “sea-nymph”, step by step
sea-nymph traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English sea
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | sea | A large body of salt water; A lake, especially if... |
| 2 | Middle English | see | sea, ocean; A body of water, a lake; seat, chair |
| 3 | Old English | sǣ | sea, lake |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | saiwi | sea |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | saiwiz | sea, ocean |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | sīhwaną | to filter |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | seykʷ- | to moisten; to filter |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | sey- | to be wet; dribble; run; to stretch one's arm;... |
via English nymph
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | nymph | Any female nature spirit associated with water,... |
| 2 | Middle English | nimphe | nymph |
| 3 | Old French | nimphe | nymph |
| 4 | Latin | nympha | bride, mistress; young woman; nymph |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | νύμφη | bride, young wife; young, nubile woman;... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | snewbʰ- | to marry, wed; to marry, to wed |