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nympholepsy

[nim-fuh-lep-see]

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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.

Origin of nympholepsy

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

Related formsnym·pho·lep·tic

[nim-fuh-lep-tik] /ˌnɪm fəˈlɛp tɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nympholepsy

Historical Examples of nympholepsy

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
The most common disease to genius is nympholepsy—the saddening for a spirit that the world knows not.
Godolphin, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
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

British Dictionary definitions for nympholepsy

nympholepsy

noun plural -sies

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

Derived Formsnympholeptic, 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

Word Origin and History for nympholepsy

n.

"frenzy or rapture supposed to take hold of a man upon gazing on a nymph," 1775, coined by Richard Chandler, in "Travels in Greece," from nymph, on model of epilepsy, with second element from stem of Greek lambanein "to take." Especially "an ecstasy or frenzy caused by desire for the unattainable." Ancient Greek had nympholeptos "caught by nymphs." Related: Nympholept; nympholeptic.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper