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Meaning & History
Possibly derived from Greek νῆσσα (nessa) meaning "duck (bird)". In Greek mythology, Nessus was a centaur who was killed by Heracles, and whose tainted blood in turn killed Heracles. He was the son of Centauros. He fought in the battle with the Lapiths and became a ferryman on the river Euenos. His name might refer to his role as a ferryman, carrying passengers across the river on his back.