Nymph (?), n. [L. nympha nymph, bride, young woman, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nymphe. Cf. Nuptial.]

1. (Class. Myth.) A goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows, or waters.

Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless deep
Closed o'er the head of your loved Lycidas ?

2. Hence: A lovely young girl; a maiden; a damsel.

Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remembered.

3. (Zoöl.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis.

4. (Zoöl.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.

• the larva of certain insects
  
• (Greek & Roman mythology) any minor female deity associated streams, trees etc
  
• a young girl, especially one who inspires lustful feelings