nympholepsy

[ nim-fuh-lep-see ]

noun

, plural nym·pho·lep·sies.

1. an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.
2. a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.

nympholepsy

/ ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

1. a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have

Derived Forms

• ˌnymphoˈleptic, adjective

Other Words From

• nym·pho·lep·tic [nim-f, uh, -, lep, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nympholepsy¹

1765–75; formed on nympholept, on the model of epilepsy

Word History and Origins

Origin of nympholepsy¹

C18: from nympholept , on the model of epilepsy

Example Sentences

Witchcraft has seized upon you, nympholepsy has struck you.

From Project Gutenberg

Through solitude this passion may be exalted into a frenzy like a nympholepsy.

From Project Gutenberg

De Quincey has done so in prose, for instance, and Lord Byron talks of 'The nympholepsy of a fond despair,' though he never was accused of being overridden by his Greek.

From Project Gutenberg

A terrible malady is she, a malady the ancients knew of and called nympholepsy—a beautiful name evocative and symbolic of its ideal aspect, "the breasts of the nymphs in the brake."

From Project Gutenberg

A terrible malady is she, a malady the ancients knew of and called nympholepsy—a beautiful name evocative and symbolic of its ideal aspect, "the breast of the nymph in the brake."

From Project Gutenberg