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A.Word.A.Day--paranymph

paranymph (PAR-uh-nimf) noun

1. A groomsman or a bridesmaid.

2. In ancient Greece, a friend who accompanied the bridegroom when he went to bring home the bride, or the bridesmaid who escorted the bride to the bridegroom.

[From Late Latin paranymphus, from Greek paranymphos (masculine and femnine) groomsman, bridesmaid, literally, person beside the bride.]

"If any of these, or all, the Timnian bride Had not so soon preferred Thy Paranymph, worthless to thee compared." John Milton, Samson Agonistes: Part III.

This week's theme: unusual, esoteric, preposterous words.

Read what AWAD subscribers wrote about Global English: https://www.dailystarnews.com/200004/28/n0042809.htm

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