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nymphomania

 - 6 dictionary results

nym⋅pho⋅ma⋅ni⋅a

  [nim-fuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh]
–noun Pathology.
abnormally excessive and uncontrollable sexual desire in women.
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Origin:
1790–1800; < Gk nympho- (see nymph, -o- ) + -mania

Related forms:
nym⋅pho⋅ma⋅ni⋅ac  [nim-fuh-mey-nee-ak] , noun, adjective
nym⋅pho⋅ma⋅ni⋅a⋅cal  [nim-foh-muh-nahy-uh-kuhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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nym·pho·ma·ni·a   (nĭm'fə-mā'nē-ə, -mān'yə)   
n.  Excessive sexual desire in and behavior by a female.

[New Latin : Greek numphē, nymph + -mania.]
nym'pho·ma'ni·ac' (-nē-āk') adj. & n., nym'pho·ma·ni'a·cal (-mə-nī'ə-kəl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

nymphomania [(nim-fuh-may-nee-uh)]

The presence in women of abnormally powerful sexual desires.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

nymphomania 
1775, in Eng. translation of "Nymphomania, or a Dissertation Concerning the Furor Uterinus," by Fr. doctor M.D.T. Bienville, coined from Gk. nymphe "bride" + mania "madness," perhaps influenced by earlier Fr. nymphomanie. Defined as "a female disease characterized by morbid and uncontrollable sexual desire." Also coined in 1775 (by Richard Chandler, in "Travels in Greece") was nympholepsy, on model of epilepsy, with second element from stem of Gk. lambanein "to take;" defined as "a state of rapture supposed to be inspired in men by nymphs; esp. an ecstasy or frenzy caused by desire for the unattainable." Nympho "nymphomaniac" is from 1935.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: nym·pho·ma·nia
Pronunciation: "nim(p)-f&-'mA-nE-&, -ny&
Function: noun
: excessive sexual desire by a female—compare SATYRIASIS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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nymphomania nym·pho·ma·ni·a (nĭm'fə-mā'nē-ə, -mān'yə)
n.
A disorder in which a woman exhibits extreme or obsessive desire for sexual stimulation or gratification.

nym'pho·ma'ni·ac' (-nē-āk') adj. & n.
nym'pho·ma·ni'a·cal (-mə-nī'ə-kəl) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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