nymph

• nymphe (rare or archaic)

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

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈnɪmf/

• Audio (US)

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nymph (plural nymphs or nymphæ)

Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse, 1896

1. (Greek and Roman mythology) Any minor female deity associated with water, forests, grotto, wind, etc.
2. A young girl, especially one who is attractive, beautiful or graceful.
3. (entomology) The larva of certain insects.
4. (entomology) Any of various butterflies of the family Nymphalidae.

• (insect larva): instar, naiad
• (attractive young woman): lolita, nymphet, nymphette

• nymphet
• nymphette
• nymphoid

• lymph
• nympho
• nymphomania
• nymphomaniac

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