nymph

[ nimf ]

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.

   Synonyms: hamadryad, dryad, oread, naiad

2. a beautiful or graceful young woman.
3. a maiden.
4. the young of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.

nymph

/ nɪmf; ˈnɪmfɪən /

noun

1. myth a spirit of nature envisaged as a beautiful maiden
2. poetic.
   a beautiful young woman
3. the immature form of some insects, such as the dragonfly and mayfly, and certain arthropods. Nymphs resemble the adult, apart from having underdeveloped reproductive organs and (in the case of insects) wings, and develop into the adult without a pupal stage

nymph

/ nĭmf /

1. 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.
2. Compare imago

Derived Forms

• ˈnymphal, adjective
• ˈnymphlike, adjective

Other Words From

• nymphal nym·phe·an [nim, -fee-, uh, n], adjective
• un·nymphal adjective
• un·nymphe·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nymph¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nimphe, from Latin nympha, from Greek nýmphē “bride, nymph”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nymph¹

C14: via Old French from Latin, from Greek numphē nymph; related to Latin nūbere to marry

Synonym Study

See sylph.

Example Sentences

The bugs have very little Massospora in them when they’re in their nymph stage, one of the times when they’re ideal for eating, Lovett said.

From Washington Post

This recipe calls for tenerals, though you could try it with nymphs.

From Washington Post

Six to 10 weeks later, the eggs hatch into tiny nymphs, which fall to the earth and tunnel underground.

From Time

At that point, the nymphs will surface again, climb out and promptly ascend the nearest tall object.

From Science News For Students

Six to eight weeks later, the eggs will develop into nymphs, which will then fall back to earth and dig themselves underground.

From Time

First, a naiad is a water nymph in Greek myth—a woman who looked over the waterways.

From The Daily Beast

Taurus draws on the myth of Io, the nymph who was turned into a snow-white cow.

From The Daily Beast

The nymph-muse is a part that Portman was in some ways born for.

From The Daily Beast

I have consulted God and demigod; the nymph of the river, and what I far more admire and trust, my blue-eyed Minerva.

From Project Gutenberg

It runs thus:—Saradvat, by the magnitude of his penances, frightened Indra, who sent a celestial nymph to tempt him.

From Project Gutenberg

But I'm going to stay on and see my nymph safely through her dark days.

From Project Gutenberg

Epimenides of Cnossos was born of the loves of a mortal and a nymph.

From Project Gutenberg

But in the times before Shakespeare the name was more poetically said to be derived from the nymph Phyllis.

From Project Gutenberg