water nymph

American  

noun

1. a nymph of the water, as a naiad, a Nereid, or an Oceanid.

2. water lily.

3. any aquatic plant of the genus Najas, having narrow, opposite leaves.

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water nymph British  

noun

1. any fabled nymph of the water, such as the Naiad, Nereid, or Oceanid of Greek mythology

2. any of various aquatic plants, esp a water lily or a naiad

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Etymology

Origin of water nymph

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The word “Nyad” is a derivation of “naiad,” the water nymph from Greek mythology.

From Los Angeles Times

Her hair in bangs, her huge eyes echoing those of Christy’s water nymph, she looks just as romantic as the art.

From New York Times

The ghostly water nymphs were normally confined to their homes in the river, but during Semik, they could come out at night and would dance in the fields under the stars.

From Literature

“On the Tollense trade route, with Nordic amber, a traveler offered up her amulet to the local water nymphs for further good luck on the voyage,” Dr. Kaul said.

From New York Times

Strategically placed art — a bronze statue paying tribute to Sir Isaac Newton on the patio, a 1912 oil painting of the water nymph Clytie by Herbert James Draper — lend the restaurant a gallery air.

From Washington Post