Lymph

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /lɪmf/

Alternative forms

• lymphe rare or archaic

Origin

From Latin lympha ("water, water nymph"), from Ancient Greek νύμφη ("nymph") (English nymph), of unknown origin.

Full definition of lymph

Noun

1. (obsolete, poetical) Pure water.
2. (physiology, immunology) A colourless, watery, bodily fluid carried by the lymphatic system, that consists mainly of white blood cells.
3. Discharge from a sore, inflammation etc.
• 2000, JG Ballard, Super-Cannes, Fourth Estate 2011, p. 268:She lay face-down, an infected puncture point on the inside of her thigh oozing a faint lymph.

Derived terms

Related terms

• nymph