nymph

Alternative forms

• nymphe (rare or archaic)

Etymology

From Middle English nimphe, from Old French nimphe, from Latin nympha (“nymph, bride”), from Ancient Greek νύμφη (númphē, “bride”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈnɪmf/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

nymph (plural nymphs or nymphæ)

Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse, 1896

1. The larva of certain insects.
2. (Greek and Roman mythology) Any minor female deity associated with water, forests, grotto, etc.
3. A young girl, especially one who is sexually attractive.

See also

• alseid, auloniad, crinaeae, limnades, meliae, napaeae, oceanids, oreads, pegaeae
• dryads, hamadryads, naiads, nereids
• Hesperides