nymphaea
nymphaea Lexical Profile
nymphaea Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any aquatic perennial plant of the genus Nymphaea (family Nymphaeaceae), native to temperate and tropical freshwater habitats worldwide and commonly known as the water lily, characterized by rounded floating leaves and showy, fragrant, many-petaled blossoms in shades of white, pink, yellow, or blue.
Plural form of nymphaeum: in classical Greek and Roman architecture, a monument, grotto, or sanctuary consecrated to the water nymphs, typically built around a natural spring or ornamental fountain.
"Archaeologists excavated several ornate Roman nymphaea adorned with marble statues and mosaic basins."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a botanical noun for the water lily genus, 'nymphaea' is singular (with the plural 'nymphaeas'); in classical architecture, 'nymphaea' functions as the plural of 'nymphaeum' (a monument or sanctuary consecrated to water nymphs).
• Rhymes for nymphaea
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin nymphaea, from Ancient Greek nymphaia ('water lily'), derived from nymphe ('nymph'), as water nymphs were traditionally believed to inhabit the ponds and streams where these flowers grow.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.