[nymph] n [ME nimphe, fr. MF, fr. L nympha bride, nymph, fr. Gk nymphe--more at nuptial] (14c) 1: any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters
2: girl
3: any of various immature insects; esp: a larva of an insect (as a grasshopper, true bug, or mayfly) with incomplete metamorphosis that differs from the imago esp. in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia--compare naiad
2. -- nymph.al adj