nympholepsy
an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.
a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.
Origin of nympholepsy
1Other words from nympholepsy
- nym·pho·lep·tic [nim-fuh-lep-tik], /ˌnɪm fəˈlɛp tɪk/, adjective
Words Nearby nympholepsy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nympholepsy in a sentence
Through solitude this passion may be exalted into a frenzy like a nympholepsy.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 (2 vols) | Thomas De QuinceyBut he was busy with his new story, in the throes of nympholepsy, seeing visions, hearing voices.
We Can't Have Everything | Rupert HughesWhen the show was over he abandoned Miss Clampett on her door-step and went to his own boarding-house in a nympholepsy.
We Can't Have Everything | Rupert Hughesnympholepsy is no more a Greek word than epilepsy, and nobody would or could object to epilepsy or apoplexy as a Greek word.
The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II | Elizabeth Barrett BrowningIt shows the sensitiveness of the hierarchy that this harmless nympholepsy was deemed worthy of severe repression.
A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume III | Henry Charles Lea
British Dictionary definitions for nympholepsy
/ (ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ) /
a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have
Origin of nympholepsy
1Derived forms of nympholepsy
- nympholeptic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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