nymph

The definition of a nymph is a mythical spirit or goddess, or a beautiful young woman.

(noun)

A mythical female spirit who lives in the mountains is an example of a nymph.

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See nymph in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. Gr. & Rom. Myth. any of a group of minor nature goddesses, represented as young and beautiful and living in rivers, mountains, or trees
    1. a lovely young woman
    2. a young woman; maiden: literary or playful usage
  2. Entomology the young of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis, differing from the adult primarily in size and structural proportions

Origin: ME nimphe < OFr < L nympha < Gr nymphē, young wife, spring goddess, hence (poetically) water: see nubile

Related Forms:

See nymph in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English nimphe

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin nympha

Origin: , from Greek numphē

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Related Forms:

  • nymphˈal (nĭmˈfəl) adjective

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