nymph
pronunciation
How to pronounce nymph in British English:
UK [nɪmf]
How to pronounce nymph in American English:
US [nɪmf]
-
- Noun:
- (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
- a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly)
- a voluptuously beautiful young woman
Word Origin
- nymph
- nymph: [14] Greek númphē originally meant ‘bride’ (it was related to Latin nūbere ‘take a husband’, source of English connubial and nubile). It subsequently became extended, however, to ‘beautiful young woman’ and ‘female nature spirit, particularly one frequenting water’, and it was in the latter sense that the word first entered English, via Latin nympha and Old French nimphe. The original sense ‘bride’ lies behind nymphomania, coined in the second half of the 18th century.=> connubial, nubile
- nymph (n.)
- late 14c., "class of semi-divine female beings," from Old French nimphe (13c.), from Latin nympha "nymph, demi-goddess; bride, mistress, young woman," from Greek nymphe "bride, young wife," later "beautiful young woman," then "semi-divine being in the form of a beautiful maiden;" related to Latin nubere "to marry, wed" (see nuptial). Sub-groups include dryads, hamadryads, naiads, nereids, and oreads. Sense in English of "young woman, girl" is attested from 1580s. Meaning "insect stage between larva and adult" is recorded from 1570s. Related: Nymphal; nymphean.
Example
- 1. Bit away from where your nymph previously floated through .
- 2. Looking a dragonfly nymph straight in the eye , watching a pond skater as it whizzes across the surface , or catching your first stickleback is a truly wonderful experience .
- 3. Animal chain ~ honest april & tricky nymph .
- 4. The newborn head louse is called a nymph .
- 5. You 're really into this nymph . Good for you .