naiad

na·iad

noun \ˈnā-əd, ˈnī-, -ˌad\

plural na·iads or na·ia·des\-ə-ˌdēz\

Definition of NAIAD

1

: any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains

2

: an aquatic insect nymph (as of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)

3

: any of a genus (Najas of the family Najadaceae) of submerged aquatic plants

Examples of NAIAD

1. <in Greek mythology, naiads supposedly drowned the young men with whom they became enamored>
2. <students in science class learning how to distinguish a dragonfly naiad from an earthworm>

Origin of NAIAD

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French naïade, from Latin naiad-, naias, from Greek, from nan to flow — more at nourish

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NAIAD

Synonyms: dryad, hamadryad, nymph, oread, wood nymph

Related Words: mermaid, Nereid, Oceanid, sea-maid (or sea-maiden), siren, water nymph

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Rhymes with NAIAD

Akkad, aoudad, Baghdad, Belgrade, Carlsbad, caudad, comrade, Conrad, crash pad, crawdad, doodad, dorsad, dryad, dyad, egad, farad, Flagstad, footpad, gonad, granddad, heptad, horn-mad, ironclad, keypad, launchpad, maenad, monad, mouse pad, Murad, nicad, nomad, NORAD, notepad, pentad, pleiad, postgrad, scratch pad, Sinbad, tetrad, touch pad, triclad