Nerissa

English

Etymology

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

Proper noun

Nerissa

  1. A female given name from Ancient Greek
    • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)]:
      Well, while I live, I’ll fear no other thing
      So sore as keeping safe Nerissa’s ring.
    • 1958, The Literary Review, volume 2, page 188:
      When Nerissa saw the worm her immediate reaction was to kill, for she disliked its sliminess and crawlingness.

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