noun pl. naiads or naiades
- 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
Origin:
Fr naïade < L Naias (gen. Naiadis) < Gr Naias (pl. Naïades) < naein, to flow < IE base *(s)na-, to flow > L natare, to swim