nympholepsy

English

Etymology

From nympho- +‎ -lepsy, after Ancient Greek νυμφόληπτος (numphólēptos, “frenzied by the nymphs”, adjective).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnɪmfəˌlɛpsi/

Noun

nympholepsy (countable and uncountable, plural nympholepsies)

  1. A frenzied state of (usually erotic) emotion, especially concerning something or someone unattainable.
    • 1852, Mary Edgewood Lazarus, Love Vs. Marriage: Part 1, page 292:
      If young persons of both sexes were brought together in the honest practical relations of organized labor, we should see no more of these fond nympholepsies
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