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Webster 1913 Edition

Nympholepsy

Nym′pho-lepˊsy

(nĭm′fō̍-lĕpˊsy̆)

,

Noun.

[Gr.

νύμφη

a nymph +

λαμβάνειν

to seize.]

A species of demoniac enthusiasm or possession coming upon one who had accidentally looked upon a nymph; ecstasy.

[R.]

De Quincey.

The

nympholepsy

of some fond despair.

Byron.