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nymphean

 - 4 dictionary results

nymph

  [nimf]
Use nymphean in a Sentence
–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 nýmphē bride, nymph

Related forms:
nymphal, nym⋅phe⋅an  [nim-fee-uhn] , adjective

Synonyms:
1. naiad, nereid, oread, dryad, hamadryad. See sylph.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

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
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: nymph
Pronunciation: 'nim(p)f
Function: noun
1 : any of various hemimetabolous insects in an immature stage and especially a late larva(as of a true bug) in which rudiments of the wings and genitalia are present; broadly : any insect larva that differs chiefly in size and degree of differentiation from the imago
2 : a mite or tick in the first eight-legged form that immediately follows the last larval molt
3 : a nymphal stage in the life cycle of an insect or acarid —nymph·al /'nim(p)-f&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Science Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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