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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[L.

paranymphus

, Gr. [GREEK];

παρά

beside, near + [GREEK] a bride: cf. F.

paranymphe

(Gr. Antiq.)

(a)

A friend of the bridegroom who went with him in his chariot to fetch home the bride.

Milton.

(b)

The bridesmaid who conducted the bride to the bridegroom.

Hence:

An ally; a supporter or abettor.

Jer. Taylor.

Noun.

[Gr. by, and a bride or spouse.]

A brideman; one who leads the bride to her marriage.

One who countenances and supports another.

paranymph ‎(plural paranymphs)

(now rare) A friend of the bridegroom, a best man; a bridesmaid. [from 16th c.]
(now rare) An ally or spokesman; someone who speaks in support of someone else. [from 16th c.]
(Can we find and add a quotation of Jeremy Taylor to this entry?)