Nerissa

English

Etymology

Coined by Shakespeare for The Merchant of Venice, apparently from Ancient Greek Νηρηΐς (Nērēḯs, “sea-nymph”).

Proper noun

Nerissa

A female given name
- c. 1596–1598, W[illiam] Shakespeare, The Excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. With the Extreme Cruelty of Shylocke the Iew towards the saide Merchant, in Cutting a Iust Pound of His Flesh. And the Obtaining of Portia, by the Choyce of Three Caskets, quarto edition, [London]: Printed by J[ames] Roberts [for Thomas Heyes], published 1600, OCLC 24594216, [Act 5]:
  
  Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing
  
  So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.

Related terms

nereid
Nereus

Anagrams

arnises, arsines, sarnies

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