nympholepsy

nympholepsy [nim-fuh-lep-see] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural nym·pho·lep·sies.

1. an ecstasy supposed by the ancients to be inspired by nymphs.
2. a frenzy of emotion, as for something unattainable.

Origin of nympholepsy 1765–75; formed on nympholept, on the model of epilepsy Related formsnym·pho·lep·tic [nim-fuh-lep-tik] /ˌnɪm fəˈlɛp tɪk/, adjective Examples from the Web for nympholeptic Historical Examples of nympholeptic

Shelley was an emotional sophist, with a nympholeptic imagination, who fell into sheer unreality.

The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920

Various

British Dictionary definitions for nympholeptic nympholepsy noun plural -sies

1. a state of violent emotion, esp when associated with a desire for something one cannot have

Derived Formsnympholeptic, adjectiveWord Origin for nympholepsy C18: from nympholept, on the model of epilepsy Word Origin and History for nympholeptic nympholepsy n.

“frenzy or rapture supposed to take hold of a man upon gazing on a nymph,” 1775, coined by Richard Chandler, in “Travels in Greece,” from nymph, on model of epilepsy, with second element from stem of Greek lambanein “to take.” Especially “an ecstasy or frenzy caused by desire for the unattainable.” Ancient Greek had nympholeptos “caught by nymphs.” Related: Nympholept; nympholeptic.