delphyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

delfyne, delphin, dolphyn

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin delphīnus, from Ancient Greek δελφίς (delphís); doublet of Dauphin.

Forms with -o- are probably influenced by the pronunciation of Middle French dauphin (approximately /dɔˈfĩː/).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /dɛlˈfiːn/, /ˈdɛlfin/, /ˈdɔlfin/

Noun

delphyn (plural delphyns)

(Late Middle English, rare) dolphin (cetacean of family Delphinidae)
Synonym: mereswyn

Descendants

English: dolphin
Scots: dowphin

References

“delfīn, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

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