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nymph
6 dictionary results for: Nymph
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
nymph 
[nimf] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[nimf] Pronunciation Key –noun
| 1. | one of a numerous class of lesser deities of mythology, conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows, etc., and frequently mentioned as attending a superior deity. |
| 2. | a beautiful or graceful young woman. |
| 3. | a maiden. |
| 4. | the young of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. |
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME nimphe < L nympha < Gk nýmphé bride, nymph]
] —Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| nymph
(nĭmf) Pronunciation Key
n.
[Middle English nimphe, from Old French, from Latin nympha, from Greek numphē.] nymph'al (nĭm'fəl) adj. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
nymph
nymph
1390, "class of semi-divine female beings," from O.Fr. nimphe, from L. nympha "nymph, bride," from Gk. nymphe "bride," later "beautiful young woman," then "semi-divine being in the form of a beautiful maiden;" related to L. nubere "to marry, wed" (see nuptial). Sub-groups include dryads, hamadryads, naiads, nereids, and oreads. Sense in Eng. of "young woman, girl" is attested from 1584. Meaning "insect stage between larva and adult" is recorded from 1577. Nymphet "sexually attractive young girl" is from 1955, introduced by Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) in his novel "Lolita" to describe alluring (in the eyes of some men) girls age 9 to 14.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| nymph | |
noun | |
| 1. | (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden; "the ancient Greeks believed that nymphs inhabited forests and bodies of water" |
| 2. | a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly) |
| 3. | a voluptuously beautiful young woman |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| nymph
(nĭmf) Pronunciation Key
The immature form of those insects that do not pass through a pupal stage. Nymphs usually resemble the adults, but are smaller, lack fully developed wings, and are sexually immature. Compare imago, larva, pupa.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Nymph
Nymph\, n. [L. nympha nymph, bride, young woman, Gr. ?: cf. F. nymphe. Cf. Nuptial.]1. (Class. Myth.) A goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows, or waters. Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless deep Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas ? --Milton. 2. Hence: A lovely young girl; a maiden; a damsel. Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remembered. --Shak. 3. (Zo["o]l.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis. 4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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