nympho

[ nim-foh ]

noun

, plural nym·phos,

1. nymphomaniac.

nympho

/ ˈnɪmfəʊ /

noun

1. informal.
   a nymphomaniac

Word History and Origins

Origin of nympho¹

By shortening; -o

Words That Use Nympho-

What does nympho- mean?

Nympho- is a combining form used like a prefix that can represent the word nymphae or can refer to “sexual desire.” It is used in some medical, psychological, and other technical terms.

In anatomy, nymphae (singular nympha) are the inner labia of the vulva. Both nympha and nympho- ultimately from the Greek nýmphē, meaning “bride” or nymph, a lesser deity in Greek mythology that took the form of beautiful maidens inhabiting nature.

What are variants of nympho-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, nympho- becomes nymph-, as in nymphitis.

Examples of nympho-

Nymphomania is an often disparaging term for “abnormally excessive and uncontrollable sexual desire in a woman.” Such a woman is called a nymphomaniac, or nympho for short in slang. Its male equivalent is satyriasis, a word that also has roots in Greek mythology.

The nympho- part of nymphomania is related to the combining form nympho- and is based on nympha, referring to the inner labia of female genitalia. The second part, -mania, extreme enthusiasm for something, ultimately from the Greek manía, “madness.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form nympho-?

• nymphalid
• nymphaeaceous
• nymphaeum
• nymphectomy
• nymphet
• nympholepsy
• nympholept
• nymphoncus
• nymphotomy

What are some other forms that nympho- may be commonly confused with?

• lympho-
• nephro-

Break it down!

The combining form -tomy means “incision.” The medical procedure of a nymphotomy involves, generally speaking, cutting into what part of the body?