Priscilla

Feminine diminutive form of a Roman cognomen Priscus, from Latin prisca (“ancient”).

• Rhymes: -ɪlə

Priscilla

1. A female given name of biblical origin.
   • 1858 Henry Wadswoth Longfellow: The Courtship of Miles Standish:

     Letters written by Alden, and full of the name of Priscilla, / Full of the name and the fame of the Puritan maiden Priscilla!

   • 2003 Minette Walters: Disordered Minds: Macmillan. →ISBN p.354:

     'Priscilla,' she said, --- 'The same name I've had for twenty years!' She smiled cynically. 'And, before you ask why, I was stoned when I chose it, so any thoughts of Cill were in my subconscious. I used to think it was classier than Louise or Daisy... probably because the Trevelyans were such snobs.'

2. An early Christian, mentioned in the Bible and also known as Prisca.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981, Acts 18:2:

     :

     And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

• Diminutives: Prissy, Cilla, Scilla