nymph The juvenile stage of exopterygote insects, especially terrestrial species, such as grasshoppers, cockroaches, and earwigs; the juveniles of aquatic species (e.g. dragonflies, mayflies, stoneflies) are sometimes called naiads or larvae. The nymph resembles the adult except that the wings and reproductive organs are undeveloped. There is no pupal stage, the nymph developing directly into the adult. Compare larva.

nymph Young insect of primitive orders that do not undergo complete metamorphosis. The term designates all immature stages after the egg. The nymph resembles the adult and does so more closely with each moulting. Examples are the aquatic nymphs of dragonflies, mayflies, and damsel flies.

nymph (myth.) semi-divine female being XIV; young beautiful woman; pupa XVI. — OF. nimphe (mod. nymphe) — L. nympha — Gr. nūmphé bride, nymph, rel. to L. nūbere marry. comb. form nympho-, as in nympholepsy, nymphomania XVIII.

nymph
1. A crescent-shaped platform, present in certain bivalves, to which the ligament is attached.

2. See LARVA.