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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
–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]

nymphal, nym·phe·an       [nim-fee-uhn] Pronunciation Key, adjective

1. naiad, nereid, oread, dryad, hamadryad. See sylph.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
nymph       (nĭmf)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. Greek & Roman Mythology Any of numerous minor deities represented as beautiful maidens inhabiting and sometimes personifying features of nature such as trees, waters, and mountains.
  2. A girl, especially a beautiful one.
  3. The larval form of certain insects, such as silverfish and grasshoppers, usually resembling the adult form but smaller and lacking fully developed wings. Also called nympha.


[Middle English nimphe, from Old French, from Latin nympha, from Greek numphē.]

nymph'al (nĭm'fəl) adj.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

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 

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.

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.

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