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mermaid |
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mermaid, in folklore, sea-dwelling creature commonly represented as having the head and body of a woman and a fishtail instead of legs. Belief in mermaids, and in their counterpart, mermen, has existed since earliest times. They are often described as having great beauty and charm, which they use to lure sailors to their deaths (see Siren Siren (sī`rən), in Greek mythology, one of three sea nymphs, usually represented with the head of a woman and the body of a bird. ..... Click the link for more information. ). In some legends they assumed human shape and married mortals (see Mélusine Mélusine (mālüzēn`) or Melusina ..... Click the link for more information. ). The origin of the mermaid is thought by some to be the dugong (see sirenian sirenian (sīrē`nēən) or sea cow, name for a large aquatic mammal of the order Sirenia. ..... Click the link for more information. ). mermaid half-woman, half-fish; seen by sailors. [western Folklore: Misc.] See : Sea |
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| Her final employment was to gather seaweed of various kinds, and make herself a scarf or mantle, and a head-dress, and thus assume the aspect of a little mermaid. But is the Queen a mermaid, to be presented with a tail? She eluded me like the mermaid she was, and I saw the laughter on her face as she fled. |
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mermaid
