nympha

I. dat. plur. NYMPHABVS, Inscr. Orell. 1629; NYMFABVS, ib. 1630; NYMPHIS, ib. 1627; 1630 sq.), f., = νύμφη.

I. A bride, a mistress, Ov. H. 1, 27; Tib. 3, 1, 21 (al. merita).—

2. A young woman: se quoque nympha tuis ornavit Iardanis armis, Ov. H. 9, 103.—

II. Nymphae, demi-goddesses, who inhabit the sea, rivers, fountains, woods, trees, and mountains; nymphs: Nymphae, genus amnibus unde est, Verg. A. 8, 71; 10, 551; Ov. M. 5, 540: Nympha Maenalis, id. F. 1, 634: Nymphae Libethrides, Verg. E. 7, 21: vocalis Nymphe, Ov. M. 3, 357. Vows were made to the fountain-nymphs in cases of sickness or of drought, Cic. N. D. 3, 17, 43; Inscr. Orell. 1631 sq.—

B. Transf., water (poet.): et cadit in patulos Nympha Aniena lacus, Prop. 3, 16 (4, 15), 4.—

2. A fountain, Mart. 6, 43, 2.—

C. The pupa or nymph of an insect: alius evolat, alius in nymphā est, alius in vermiculo, Plin. 11, 21, 24, § 71; 11, 16, 16, § 48.