nympholepsy

1 of 3

noun (1)

nym·​pho·​lep·​sy ˈnim(p)-fə-ˌlep-sē 

1

: a demonic enthusiasm held by the ancients to seize one bewitched by a nymph

2

: a frenzy of emotion

nympholept

ˈnim(p)-fə-ˌlept 

noun

nympholeptic

ˌnim(p)-fə-ˈlep-tik 

adjective

nympholept

2 of 3

noun (2)

nym·​pho·​lept -pt 

plural -s

: one seized with nympholepsy

the nympholepts of old

—Augustine Birrell

nympholept

3 of 3

adjective

"

: nympholeptic

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

nymph + -o- + -lepsy, after Greek nymphóleptos "possessed by nymphs, frenzied, enraptured," from nýmphē "bride, young wife, nymph of mythology" + -o- -o- + lēptós, verbal adjective of lambánein "to take hold of, seize" — more at latch entry 1

Noun (2)

Greek nympholēptos caught by nymphs, raptured, frenzied, from nymphē nymph + lēptos, verbal of lambanein to take, seize

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nympholepsy

• catalepsy
• epilepsy
• narcolepsy