Nymph \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 ? --Milton.

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

Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remembered. --Shak.

3. (Zo["o]l.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis.

4. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)