nympholepsy

[ nim-fuh-lep-see ]

/ ˈnɪm fəˌlɛp si /

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noun, plural nym·pho·lep·sies.

an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.

a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.

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Origin of nympholepsy

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

nymphalid, nymphectomy, nymphet, nymphitis, nympho, nympholepsy, nympholept, nymphomania, nymphomaniac, nymphoncus, nymphotomy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use nympholepsy in a sentence

Through solitude this passion may be exalted into a frenzy like a nympholepsy.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 1 (2 vols)|Thomas De Quincey
But he was busy with his new story, in the throes of nympholepsy, seeing visions, hearing voices.
We Can't Have Everything|Rupert Hughes
When the show was over he abandoned Miss Clampett on her door-step and went to his own boarding-house in a nympholepsy.
We Can't Have Everything|Rupert Hughes
Nympholepsy is no more a Greek word than epilepsy, and nobody would or could object to epilepsy or apoplexy as a Greek word.
The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II|Elizabeth Barrett Browning

It shows the sensitiveness of the hierarchy that this harmless nympholepsy was deemed worthy of severe repression.
A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume III|Henry Charles Lea

British Dictionary definitions for nympholepsy

nympholepsy

/ (ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ) /

noun plural -sies

a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have

Derived forms of nympholepsy

nympholeptic, adjective

Word Origin for nympholepsy

C18: from nympholept, on the model of epilepsy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012