What is "nympholepsy"

Nympholepsy \Nym"pho*lep`sy\ (n[i^]m"f[-o]*l[e^]p`s[y^]), n. 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.

"frenzy or rapture supposed to take hold of a man upon gazing on a nymph," 1775, coined by Richard Chandler, in "Travels in Greece," from nymph, on model of epilepsy, with second element from stem of Greek lambanein "to take." Especially "an ecstasy or frenzy caused by desire for the unattainable." Ancient Greek had nympholeptos "caught by nymphs." Related: Nympholept; nympholeptic.

n. A frenzied state of (usually erotic) emotion, especially concerning something or someone unattainable.

n. a frenzy of emotion; as for something unattainable

Nympholepsy was the belief of the ancient Greeks that individuals could be possessed by the nymphs. Individuals who considered themselves nympholepts would display a great religious devotion to the nymphs. An example is Archedemos of Thera, who built the sanctuary of the nymphs in the Vari Cave.