naiad Definition
naiad (nā′ad′, nī′-; --əd)
noun pl. -·ads′ or -·a·des′-ə dēz′
- Gr. & Rom. Myth. any of the nymphs living in and giving life to springs, fountains, rivers, and lakes
- a girl or woman swimmer
- Bot. any of a family (Najadaceae, order Najadales) of monocotyledonous, submerged, freshwater plants, with only one genus (Najas), having linear opposite leaves
- Zool. the aquatic nymph of certain insects, as the dragonfly and mayfly
Etymology: Fr naïade < L Naias (gen. Naiadis) < Gr Naias (pl. Naïades) < naein, to flow < IE base *(s)na-, to flow > L natare, to swim
naiad Synonyms
naiad Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
- slender: Slender naiad forms extensive beds on the bottom of one of these lochs.
- Hawaiian: Show at cruise hawaii single the hawaiian naiads live.
Noun used with modifier
damselfly: Departure does cruise hawaii luxury not meat on a dine on damselfly naiads desk for lunch.
Browse dictionary entries near naiad
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