undine

[ uhn-deen, uhn-deen ]

noun

1. any of a group of female water spirits described by Paracelsus.

undine

/ ˈʌndiːn /

noun

1. any of various female water spirits

Word History and Origins

Origin of undine¹

From New Latin undīna (1658; coined by Paracelsus), equivalent to Latin und(a) “wave, water” + -īna -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of undine¹

C17: from New Latin undina, from Latin unda a wave

Synonym Study

See sylph.

Example Sentences

The asrai and the undines had slipped into the icy northern sea to head south for the mouth of the Kell, where they would swim upstream to their cool lakes and rocky rivers.

From Literature

Undine, un-dēn′, n. a spirit of the waters, a water-nymph, without a soul—they marry readily with men, and an undine herself receives a soul on bearing a child.

From Project Gutenberg

In like manner exist the undines in water, sylphs in air, and salamanders in fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence it was the constant endeavour of the female spirits to captivate the admiration of men, and of the male gnomes, sylphs, salamanders, and undines to be beloved by a woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Occultists, from Paracelsus to Elephas Levi, divide the nature spirits into gnomes, sylphs, salamanders, undines; or earth, air, fire, and water spirits.

From Project Gutenberg