| 释义 |
nympholept, n. and a.|ˈnɪmfəlɛpt|
[ad. Gr. νυµϕόληπτ-ος caught by nymphs, f. νύµϕη nymph + λαµβάνειν to take.]
A. n. One who is inspired by a violent enthusiasm, especially by a passion for an unattainable ideal.
1813J. C. Hobhouse Journey (ed. 2) 405 He became a nympholept; and furnished another tale, to be..adorned by the fancy of the poet. 1855Mrs. Browning Lett. (1897) II. 201 We are all nympholepts in running after our ideals—and none more than yourself, indeed! 1884A. Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. i. 117 Those who pursue Truth as by a divine compulsion, and who can be likened only to the nympholepts of old.
b. Const. of.
1835Lytton Rienzi vii. v, The very nympholept of Freedom, yet of Power— of Knowledge, yet of Religion! 1884A. Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. i. 118 The nympholepts of Truth are profoundly interesting figures in..history.
B. adj. Inspired by such enthusiasm.
1902Athenæum 19 July 91/1 The lyric cry of nympholept modernity. |