Păr'a-nymph, n.
n. [Gr. παράνυμφος, from παρά, beside, near, and νύμφη, a bride; Lat. paranymphus, Fr. paranymphe, Sp. & It. paraninfo.]
Sense 1. (Antiq.) A friend of the bridegroom, who escorted and encouraged the bride on her way to her marriage; a brideman or bridemaid.
The Timnian bride Had not so soon preferred Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compared. Milton.
Their funeral tears are but the paranymphs and pious solicitors of a second bride. Bp. Taylor.
Sense 2. Hence, one who countenances and supports another. Bp. Taylor.