Nymphs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A class of mythological spirit beings often depicted as beautiful maidens associated with nature, particularly in rivers and trees
2. A term describing minor deities or divine spirits in ancient folklore linked to natural elements and places
3. Entities symbolizing fertility and the life force within various habitats, frequently portrayed in arts and literature as enchanting figures

Etymology: Nymphs were not always pretty, and the word once meant "bride." In ancient Greek, "númphē" referred to a young woman newly married or of marriageable age, and only later came to name the minor divinities of woods, rivers, springs and mountains who appear in Greek myth as lovely maidens. The Romans borrowed the term as "nympha," which kept the sense of bride alongside the sense of a nature spirit. English received the word through two routes at once. Old English took it directly from Latin, while Old French provided a second version that reached Middle English as "nimphe." The two forms are doublets, so English ended up with a single word that arrived twice. The plural "nymphs" is simply the plural of "nymph," with the usual "-s" ending added to the noun.

Synonyms: spirits, deities, fairies, entities, creatures