nympholepsy

American  

[nim-fuh-lep-see] / ˈnɪm fəˌlɛp si /

noun

plural

nympholepsies

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

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

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nympholepsy British  

/ ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• nympholeptic adjective

Etymology

Origin of nympholepsy

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

Example Sentences

Witchcraft has seized upon you, nympholepsy has struck you.

From Project Gutenberg

Through solitude this passion may be exalted into a frenzy like a nympholepsy.

From Project Gutenberg

De Quincey has done so in prose, for instance, and Lord Byron talks of 'The nympholepsy of a fond despair,' though he never was accused of being overridden by his Greek.

From Project Gutenberg

How often have we--martyrs to a hopeless nympholepsy--strayed through that piazza, at the self same hour--there deemed that the heart would break--but never thought that it might slowly wither.

From Project Gutenberg

The beautiful name of their malady was nympholepsy.

From Project Gutenberg