nympholepsy

[ nim-fuh-lep-see ]

noun,plural nym·pho·lep·sies.
  1. an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.

  2. a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.

Origin of nympholepsy

1
1765–75; formed on nympholept, on the model of epilepsy

Other words from nympholepsy

  • nym·pho·lep·tic [nim-fuh-lep-tik], /ˌnɪm fəˈlɛp tɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby nympholepsy

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How to use nympholepsy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nympholepsy

nympholepsy

/ (ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ) /


nounplural -sies
  1. a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have

Origin of nympholepsy

1
C18: from nympholept, on the model of epilepsy

Derived forms of nympholepsy

  • nympholeptic, adjective

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