nympholepsy
[ nim-fuh-lep-see ]
/ ˈnɪm fəˌlɛp si /
noun, plural nym·pho·lep·sies.
an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.
a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.
Origin of nympholepsy
1765–75; formed on
nympholept, on the model of
epilepsy
OTHER WORDS FROM nympholepsy
nym·pho·lep·tic [nim-fuh-lep-tik] /ˌnɪm fəˈlɛp tɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby nympholepsy
nymphectomy,
nymphet,
nymphitis,
nympho,
nympho-,
nympholepsy,
nympholept,
nymphomania,
nymphomaniac,
nymphoncus,
nymphotomy
Example sentences from the Web for nympholeptic
Shelley was an emotional sophist, with a nympholeptic imagination, who fell into sheer unreality.
British Dictionary definitions for nympholeptic
nympholepsy
/ (ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsɪ) /
noun plural -sies
a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have
Derived forms of nympholepsy
nympholeptic, adjectiveWord Origin for nympholepsy
C18: from
nympholept, on the model of
epilepsy