mereswyn
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Old English mereswīn, from Proto-West Germanic *mariswīn, from Proto-Germanic *mariswīną; equivalent to mere (“lake, sea”) + swyn (“pig”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈmɛːr(ə)ˌswiːn/, /ˈmæːr(ə)ˌswiːn/, /ˈmɛr(ə)ˌswiːn/
Noun
mereswyn (rare)
- porpoise (cetacean of family Phocoenidae)
- dolphin (cetacean of family Delphinidae)
- Synonym: delphyn
Descendants
References
- James A. H. Murray et al., editors (1884–1928), “Mere-swine”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume VI, Part 2 (M–N), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 354, column 3.