Nymph
[nɪmf]
Definition
(noun.) a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly).
(noun.) (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden; 'the ancient Greeks believed that nymphs inhabited forests and bodies of water'.
(noun.) a voluptuously beautiful young woman.
Checked by Ida--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows, or waters.
(n.) A lovely young girl; a maiden; a damsel.
(n.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis.
(n.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.
Edited by Allison
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Damsel, maiden, maid, lass, LASSIE, girl.
Checked by Amy
Definition
n. a young and beautiful maiden: (myth.) one of the beautiful goddesses who inhabited mountains rivers trees &c.—adjs. Nymph′al relating to nymphs; Nymphē′an pertaining to nymphs: inhabited by nymphs; Nymph′ic -al pertaining to nymphs; Nymph′ish Nymph′ly nymph-like; Nymph′-like.—ns. Nymph′olepsy a species of ecstasy or frenzy said to have seized those who had seen a nymph; Nymph′olept a person in frenzy.—adj. Nympholept′ic.—ns. Nymphomā′nia morbid and uncontrollable sexual desire in women; Nymphomā′niac a woman affected with the foregoing.—adjs. Nymphomā′niac -al.
n. the pupa or chrysalis of an insect.—n.pl. Nymph (nimf′ē) the labia minora.—adj. Nymphip′arous producing pup?—ns. Nymphī′tis inflammation of the nymph? Nymphot′omy the excision of the nymph?
Edited by Ben
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see nymphs bathing in clear water, denotes that passionate desires will find an ecstatic realization. Convivial entertainments will enchant you. To see them out of their sphere, denotes disappointment with the world. For a young woman to see them bathing, denotes that she will have great favor and pleasure, but they will not rest strictly within the moral code. To dream that she impersonates a nymph, is a sign that she is using her attractions for selfish purposes, and thus the undoing of men.
Typist: Loretta
Examples
- Are you Nymph, Dryad, or Oread? Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Perchance some nymph bore me to one of the old gods, who Heine says yet walk the earth in other forMs What do you know of Heine? Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- If you saw a nymph you would go mad, remarked Maurice, alluding to the old Greek superstition. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Then does she twirl and twine, a pastoral nymph of good family, through the mazes of the dance. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I need not tell you she was very beautiful, for that is the common saying of lovers, who see no loveliness save in the nymph of their affections. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- If you hunted there, Caliphronas, you would meet Bacchus and his crew, but no nymph. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- River nymphs, sea nymphs, I do not mind in the least! Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- A modern steamer, with a noisy screw beating the waters, is enough to scare away all the nymphs in the vicinity. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- You had better beware, Caliphronas, as the nymphs might take a fancy to you as they did to Hylas. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- In old times the woods and solitudes were made joyous to the shepherd by the imaginary piping and dancing of Pan and the nymphs. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Wild roses red as dawn When nymphs awaken, Frail lilies white and wan As love forsaken. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Then they slipped ashore and ran into the grove again, like nymphs. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
Inputed by Angela