Main Entry:

nymph

Pronunciation:

\ˈnim(p)f\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English nimphe, from Middle French, from Latin nympha bride, nymph, from Greek nymphē — more at nuptial

Date:

14th century

1: any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters2: girl3: any of various immature insects ; especially : a larva of an insect (as a grasshopper, true bug, or mayfly) with incomplete metamorphosis that differs from the imago especially in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia

— nymph·al \ˈnim(p)-fəl\ adjective