Nymphaea
/nɪmˈfiː.ə/noun
A genus of aquatic flowering plants, especially water lilies.
Did you know?Nymphaea was named from Greek nýmphē, because water lilies were associated with nymphs and other sacred or enchanted waters in the ancient imagination.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
νύμφη (nýmphē)
“A bride; later, a young woman or a nymph, a nature spirit”
Latin
Latin
nympha
“A nymph; also used for a bride or young woman”
Late Latin
Latin
nymphaea
“Water lily”
Middle English
English
nymphaea
“Used in learned botanical and classical contexts for the water lily”
Modern English
English
Nymphaea
“A genus of water lilies”
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