单词 | water nymph |
释义 | water nymphn. 1. a. In mythology: a (usually female) semi-divine spirit or supernatural being inhabiting or presiding over water; a naiad. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > deity > classical deity > [noun] > nymph > water-nymph(s) naiada1393 Nereida1393 water nympha1393 fairy of the sea1542 Neread1555 sea-nymph1565 naïs1581 naid1617 limnad1818 ephydriad1832 Oceanid1849 hydriad1864 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 1182 And ek sche, as thei understonde, The water Nimphes hath in honde To leden at hire oghne heste. c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. l. 6987 (MED) Water-nymphes, nor þis naydes, Satiry, nouþer driades, Þat goddesse bene of wode & wildernes. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vi. f. 73 I askt him whether that the Altar wee did see Belonged to the Waternymphes [L. Naiadum], or Faunes or other God Peculiar to the place. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. 143 The water Nymphs..Now balefull boughes of Cypres aduance. 1637 J. Milton Comus 29 The water Nymphs..Held up their pearled wrists and tooke her in. 1680 T. Otway tr. Ovid in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Epist. 213 So may the water-Nymphs [L. Nymphae] in heat of day, Though Thou their Sex despise, thy thirst allay. 1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 351. ¶5 The changing of the Trojan Fleet into Water-Nymphs, which is the most violent Machine in the whole Eneid. 1821 W. Scott Pirate II. iii. 42 The Nereids and Water-nymphs..displayed, as usual, a little more taste..and ornament than was to be seen amongst their male attendants. a1841 ‘J. Cypress, Jr.’ Sporting Scenes (1842) I. v. 64 It is just the stream that I should think would captivate a water nymph's fancy; it is so solitary, and quiet, and romantic. 1900 Catal. Sculpt. Parthen. Brit. Mus. 37 This gap may have been filled by a crouching Water Nymph, associated with the River-god. 1959 N.Y. Times 5 Apr. e8/2 But the water nymphs captured Hylas and thereafter he lived in the water. 2010 K. Manwaring Way of Awen 221 It was easy to imagine a water nymph frolicking in the clear water—moon-pale skin, long white hair flowing over a svelte figure in green velvet. b. figurative and in extended use, esp. a woman associated with the water. ΚΠ 1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 306 It is a Pseudo-prophetick Polity that has spred through the whole Territories of the Empire, a Water-Nymph whose skirts are so large, that she has sat floting upon the whole Imperial Ocean for these many Ages. 1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. xi. 96 This delicate Fisherwoman..carried him [sc. a dog] one Evening to a certain Coffee-house..where the Lady behind the Bar..prevailed on the gentle Water-Nymph to surrender him for a Dram of Brandy. 1851 Knickerbocker Sept. 346 These water-nymphs sat perfectly motionless, with their oars held up, until the booming of a cannon gave the signal for all to start. Plash! plash! go at once the thousands of oars. 1890 J. Colston Edinb. & District Water Supply vi. 47 It is said that these water nymphs vied with the men in the use of coarse language and strong drinks. 1917 R. Dixon Human Side of Birds 72 This interesting water-nymph, the grebe, wears a wonderfully graceful and imposing head-dress. 1956 N.Y. Times 3 June 50/2 (advt.) The well dressed water nymph wears slick black shantung crossed high in front, dipping into a U-back. 2009 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 15 June a8 A group of jittery, splashy water nymphs romped through the pond in waders, bright orange tunics and swim goggles. 2. Originally North American. a. Any of various submerged aquatic plants of freshwater or brackish pools and lakes constituting the genus Najas (family Hydrocharitaceae), having clusters of long narrow leaves and tiny axillary flowers. Frequently with distinguishing word. ΚΠ 1817 A. Eaton Man. Bot. 100 Najas..canadensis (water nymph) small filiform smooth, leaves narrow-linear. 1957 H. L. Mason Flora Marshes Calif. 85 Najas marina..Holly-leaved water nymph. 1972 D. S. Correll & H. B. Correll Aquatic & Wetland Plants Southwestern U.S. 126 Najas L. Water-nymph... The species in this genus, along with those in Potamogeton, are considered..to provide the most important source of all foods for wildfowl, marshbirds and shorebirds. 2006 C. Stringer Homo Britannicus i. 70 There are over 150 plant species, including water chestnut, floating fern, brittle waternymph and broom crowberry. b. A water lily of the genus Nymphaea. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > water-lilies edockec1000 water rose?a1300 mead-flower?a1350 water beanc1400 water coltsfoot14.. nenuphar?a1425 water lily?a1425 lotec1487 lotusc1487 nymphaea1543 water-can1622 can-dock1661 lotus flower1710 pond lily1748 Indian lotus1797 padma1799 Nuphar1822 beaver-root1832 splatterdock1832 frog-lily1845 brandy-bottle1846 Victoria1846 water nymph1848 lotus lily1857 cow-lily1862 pool lily1902 1848 A. Gray Man. Bot. Northern U.S. 23 Nymphæa, Tourn. Water-Nymph. Water-Lily. 1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 1229/1 Water-nymph, Nymphæa. 2000 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Encycl. 1726/2 The genus Nymphaea includes the water lilies proper (or water nymphs). This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.a1393 |
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