nymph
nymph Lexical Profile
nymph Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In classical Greek and Roman mythology, any of a class of minor female nature deities typically depicted as beautiful young maidens who inhabit rivers, woods, mountains, or meadows.
"Ancient pastoral poetry often describes woodland nymphs dancing beside clear mountain springs."
An immature form of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis (such as a dragonfly, grasshopper, or cicada), resembling the adult in general structure except for the lack of fully developed wings and reproductive organs.
"Dragonfly nymphs spend up to several years living underwater as aquatic predators before emerging to molt into winged adults."
An artificial fishing fly designed to imitate the subaquatic immature stage of an insect, weighted or fished beneath the water's surface.
"Because the trout were feeding near the riverbed rather than rising to the surface, the angler switched from a dry fly to a weighted nymph."
• Rhymes for nymph
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'nimphe', from Latin 'nympha', and ultimately from Ancient Greek 'nymphe' (νύμφη), meaning 'bride', 'young wife', or 'semi-divine female nature spirit'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.