Lymph
/lɪmf/noun
A clear fluid that circulates in the body and helps remove waste and support immunity.
Did you know?The word entered English through Latin and French from a classical form tied to water and streams, which is why its history feels almost elemental rather than medical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
νύμφα (nympha)
“a nymph; also used in later forms connected with clear water or a fountain spirit”
Late Latin
Latin
lympha
“water; a clear spring or water deity”
Old French
Old French
lymfe
“a bodily fluid, especially a clear liquid”
14th–16th Century
English
lymph
“a clear fluid in the body, especially the fluid later understood as part of the lymphatic system”
Modern English
English
lymph
“the clear fluid that circulates in lymphatic vessels and tissues”
Explore more surprising origins