nymph

noun \ˈnim(p)f\

in stories : a spirit in the shape of a young woman who lives in mountains, forests, meadows, and water

: a young insect that has almost the same form as the adult

Full Definition of NYMPH

: any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters

: girl

: 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

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See nymph defined for kids

Origin of NYMPH

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NYMPH

Synonyms: dryad, hamadryad, naiad, oread, wood nymph

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

NYMPHAL Defined for Kids

nymph

noun \ˈnimf\

Definition of NYMPH for Kids

: one of many goddesses in old legends represented as beautiful young women living in the mountains, forests, and waters

: an immature insect that differs from the adult chiefly in being of smaller size and having undeveloped wings

Medical Dictionary

nymph

noun \ˈnim(p)f\

Medical Definition of NYMPH

: any of various hemimetabolous insects in an immature stage and especially a late larva (as of a true bug) in which rudiments of the wings and genitalia are present; broadly : any insect larva that differs chiefly in size and degree of differentiation from the imago

: a mite or tick in the first eight-legged form that immediately follows the last larval molt

: a nymphal stage in the life cycle of an insect or acarid

—nymph·al \ˈnim(p)-fəl\ adjective