nymph

Pluralnymphs, nymphae

Formsnymphs, nymphing, nymphed

1. 1
   nature spiritnouncountable

   In old Greek and Roman stories, a female spirit who lives in nature, such as in a river or forest.

   In the story, a water nymph lived at the bottom of the lake.

   The painting shows nymphs dancing among the trees.

   Note
2. 2
   young insectnouncountable

   A young insect, such as a young dragonfly or grasshopper, that slowly grows into an adult without a resting stage.

   We found a dragonfly nymph crawling on a rock in the pond.

   The nymph climbed up a plant stem to shed its skin.

   Similarlarva

   Note
3. 3
   pretty girlnounliterarycountable

   A young woman or girl, especially one who is pretty or moves gracefully.

   UsageToday it can sound creepy if you say it about a real girl.

   Similarmaiden, beauty, damsel

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4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To fish with a small lure made to look like a young insect, usually under the water.

   Grandpa likes to nymph in the deep pools of the river.

   We nymphed all morning but caught only one trout.

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5. 5
   kind of butterflynouncountable

   Any of many butterflies that belong to one family, the Nymphalidae.

   A brown wood nymph butterfly rested on the tall grass.

   My butterfly book has a whole page about the wood nymph.

   Note

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