mermaid: [14] A mermaid is literally a ‘seamaiden’. The word was coined on the basis of English mere [OE], which is now a little-used term for ‘lake’, but originally denoted ‘sea’ (it came ultimately from Indo-European *mori-, *mari- ‘sea’, which also produced German meer ‘sea’ and Latin mare ‘sea’, source of French mer and English marine). Mermaid served in due course as a model for merman [17]. => marine, mere
mermaid (n.)
mid-14c., mermayde, literally "maid of the sea," from Middle English mere "sea, lake" (see mere (n.)) + maid. Old English had equivalent merewif "water-witch" (see wife), meremenn "mermaid, siren." Tail-less in northern Europe; the fishy form is a medieval influence from classical sirens. A favorite sign of taverns and inns since at least early 15c. (in reference to the inn on Bread Street, Cheapside, London). Mermaid pie (1660s) was "a sucking pig baked whole in a crust."
例文
1. "I found a mermaid ."— 'Don't be daft. There 's no such thing.'
「人魚を見つけた」――「ばかなことを言うな。そんなものがあるものか」
2.The Mermaid Company will present 'Hamlet 'next week.
人魚劇団が来週公演"ハムレット".
3.How popular would that girl be with the only mermid mom！
人魚のお母さんと一緒にいると、あの女の子はどんなにモテるだろう！
4.A mermaid 's tail turns to legs when it 's dry，even when it 's dead.