Melissa
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From the Ancient Greek μέλισσα (mélissa), meaning "bee", "honey", "honeybee".
- In Ireland it is sometimes used as a feminine form of the Gaelic male name Maolíosa "servant of Jesus".
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɪsə
[edit] Proper noun
|
Singular |
Plural |
Melissa
- (Greek mythology) Bee-nymph in Greek mythology.
- A female given name. Popular in the latter half of the 20th century.
[edit] Quotations
- 1596 Edmund Spenser: The Faerie Queene. Book 6, Canto XII:
- And her owne handmayd, that Melissa hight
- Appointed to attend her dewly day and night
- 1841 Charles Dickens: The Old Curiosity Shop. Chapman and Hall 1841. page 123:
- Miss Melissa Wackles was the eldest daughter, Miss Sophy the next, and Miss Jane the youngest.
- 1959 Nicholas Blake: The Widow's Cruise. page 9:
- - - - by Mrs. Melissa Blaydon and Miss Ianthe Ambrose.
- "Well, they may be sisters," said Nigel. "Those elegant, classical Christian names suggest one father.
[edit] Translations
female given name
[edit] Danish
[edit] Proper noun
Melissa
- A female given name, cognate to Melissa.
[edit] German
[edit] Proper noun
Melissa
- A female given name, cognate to Melissa.
[edit] Italian
[edit] Proper noun
Melissa f.
- A female given name, cognate to Melissa.
[edit] Swedish
[edit] Proper noun
Melissa
- A female given name, cognate to Melissa.
Categories: Ancient Greek derivations | English proper nouns | Greek mythology | English female given names from Ancient Greek | Danish proper nouns | Danish female given names | German proper nouns | German female given names | Italian proper nouns | Italian female given names | Swedish proper nouns | Swedish female given names

