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 Daphne (dăf`nē), in Greek mythology, a nymph.
..... Click the link for more information. . 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 Arethusa (ărĭth
..... Click the link for more information. , Thetis Thetis (thē`tĭs), in Greek mythology, a nereid, mother of Achilles.
..... Click the link for more information. , Calypso Calypso (kəlĭp`sō), nymph, daughter of Atlas, in Homer's Odyssey.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Echo Echo, in Greek mythology, mountain nymph. She assisted Zeus in one of his amorous adventures by distracting Hera with her chatter. For this Hera made her unable to speak except to repeat another's last words.
..... Click the link for more information. were famous nymphs. The nymphs' cult was widespread in Greece.

nymph, in zoology

nymph, in zoology: see insect insect, invertebrate animal of the class Insecta of the phylum Arthropoda . Like other arthropods, an insect has a hard outer covering, or exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs. Adult insects typically have wings and are the only flying invertebrates.
..... Click the link for more information. .

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.

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.

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]