paranimf

From Latin paranymphus, from Ancient Greek παράνυμφος (paránumphos, “friend of the bridegroom”).

• IPA^(key): /paː.raːˈnɪmf/

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• Hyphenation: pa‧ra‧nimf

paranimf m or f (plural paranimfen)

1. (specifically) Anyone accompanying a bride or groom at their wedding, sometimes also taking the responsibility for its organisation.

   Synonym: bruidsjonker (male)

2. (generally) An assistant to a central figure at an important ceremony.
   1. (now especially common) An assistant to a doctoral candidate at the latter's dissertation defense ceremony.