noun
nymph
NIHMF
noun
1
In mythology, a minor female nature spirit linked to rivers, woods, or mountains.
"In the myth, the nymph lived in the spring at the heart of the forest."
2
The immature form of certain insects, before they develop wings.
"A dragonfly nymph lives underwater for months before it matures."
How to Use Nymph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a mythical nature-spirit, or the young, wingless stage of an insect like a dragonfly or grasshopper.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
nymphed past tense, nymphs plural, nymphae plural, nymphs singular
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In the myth, the _____ lived in the spring at the heart of the forest.
Etymology
From Old French nimphe and Latin nympha, from Ancient Greek nymphe, meaning "bride" or "young woman".