mermaid

[ mur-meyd ]
/ ˈmɜrˌmeɪd /

noun

(in folklore) a female marine creature, having the head, torso, and arms of a woman and the tail of a fish.
a highly skilled female swimmer.

Origin of mermaid

First recorded in 1300–50, mermaid is from the Middle English word mermayde. See mere2, maid

Example sentences from the Web for mermaid

British Dictionary definitions for mermaid

mermaid
/ (ˈmɜːˌmeɪd) /

noun

an imaginary sea creature fabled to have a woman's head and upper body and a fish's tail

Word Origin for mermaid

C14: from mere lake, inlet + maid

Cultural definitions for mermaid

mermaid

A legendary marine creature with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish; the masculine, less well-known equivalent is a merman. Though linked to the classical Sirens, mermaids may be nothing more than sailors' fanciful reports of the playful antics of dugongs or manatees.