Definition of: nymph

(nimf) noun
1. In Greek and Roman mythology, a beautiful maiden belonging to a class of lesser divinities inhabiting groves, forests, fountains, springs, mountains, the ocean, etc.
2. Hence, an attractive girl; a lovely young woman.
3. Entomol. a The young of an insect which undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, at which stage the wing pads are first evident. b One of various nymphalid butterflies, as a fritillary. [<L nympha <Gk. nymphē nymph, bride]
—nymph′al, nym·phe·an (nim·fē′ən) adjective
—nymph′ic, nymph′i·cal adjective