Nymph (redirected from Nymph (Greek mythology))

nymph, in Greek mythology

nymph (nĭmf), in Greek mythology, female divinity associated with various natural objects. It is uncertain whether they were immortal or merely long-lived. There was an infinite variety of nymphs. Some represented various localities, e.g., acheloids, or nymphs of the River Achelous; others were identified with the part of nature in which they dwelled, e.g., oreads, or mountain nymphs; and still others were associated with a particular function of nature, e.g., hamadryads, or tree nymphs, whose lives began and ended with that of a particular tree. Nymphs were represented as young, beautiful, musical, amorous, and gentle, although some were associated with the wilder aspects of nature and were akin to satyrs; others were vengeful and capable of destruction, as in the story of Daphne. Other important nymphs were naiads, nymphs of streams, rivers, and lakes; nereids, daughters of Nereus, who lived in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea; dryads, tree nymphs; and oceanids, 3,000 ocean nymphs who were the daughters of Oceanus. Arethusa, Thetis, Calypso, and Echo were famous nymphs. The nymphs' cult was widespread in Greece.

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nymph, in zoology

nymph, in zoology: see insect.

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nymph

In Greek mythology, any of a large class of minor female divinities. Nymphs were usually associated with features of the natural world, such as trees and water. Though not immortal, they were extremely long-lived, and they tended to be well disposed toward humans. They were grouped according to the sphere of nature with which they were connected.

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nymph

In entomology, the sexually immature form of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis (e.g., grasshoppers). The nymph is similar to the adult but differs in body proportions and (in winged species) has only wing buds, which develop into wings after the first few molts (see molting). During each successive growing stage (instar), the nymph begins to resemble the adult more closely. The nymphs of aquatic species (also called naiads), such as dragonflies, have gills and other modifications for an aquatic existence. At maturity, they float to the surface or crawl out of the water, undergo a final molt, and emerge as winged adults.

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nymph

1. Myth a spirit of nature envisaged as a beautiful maiden

2. the larva of insects such as the dragonfly and mayfly. It resembles the adult, apart from having underdeveloped wings and reproductive organs, and develops into the adult without a pupal stage

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nymph [nimf]

(invertebrate zoology)

Any immature larval stage of various hemimetabolic insects.

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Nymph

Obesity (See FATNESS.)

Atlantides

(Pleiades) seven daughters of Atlas by Pleione. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 37]

Camenae

fountain nymphs; identified with Greek Muses. [Rom. Myth.: Zimmerman, 49]

dryads

divine maidens of the woods. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Wheeler, 108]

hamadryads

wood nymphs. [Gk. Myth.: Howe, 113]

Hyades

seven daughters of Atlas, entrusted with the care of the infant Dionysus. [Gk. Myth.: Howe, 134]

limoniads

nymphs of meadows and flowers. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 152]

naiads

divine maidens of lakes, streams, and fountains. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Wheeler, 256]

Napaeae

nymphs of woodland glens and vales. [Rom. Myth.: Howe, 174]

Nereids

sea nymphs of the Mediterranean. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Wheeler, 257]

Oceanids

sea nymphs of the great oceans. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Wheeler, 263]

oreads

divine maidens of the mountains. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Wheeler, 270]

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Nymph 

a stage in the development of arthropods with incomplete transformation, that is, without clearly expressed metamorphosis. The nymph stage characterizes mites, all apterygote insects, and such winged insects as roaches, earwigs, orthopterans, termites, and hemipterans. The corresponding stage in stone flies, mayflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. is called the naiad. The nymph resembles the adult form but has underdeveloped sexual apparatus and, in winged insects, underdeveloped wings. After molting many times the nymph becomes an imago, a fully mature individual.