nympholepsy
[nim-fuh-lep-see]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for nympholepsy
Historical Examples
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, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
But he was busy with his new story, in the throes of nympholepsy, seeing visions, hearing voices.
We Can't Have EverythingRupert 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 EverythingRupert 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 IIElizabeth Barrett Browning
nympholepsy
- a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have
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Word Origin
C18: from nympholept, on the model of epilepsy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper