merman

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun United States singer who appeared in several musical comedies (1909-1984)
  2. noun half man and half fish; lives in the sea

Etymology

From Middle English mereman, from Old English *meremann (“merman”) (suggested by Old English meremenn, meremennen, meremenin (“mermaid, siren”)), equivalent to mer- + man. Cognate with Dutch meerman (“merman”), German Meermann (“merman”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

Ethel Merman

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