naiad

naiad

noun

Definition of NAIAD

1

a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors <in Greek mythology, naiads supposedly drowned the young men with whom they became enamored>

Synonyms dryad, hamadryad, naiad, oread, wood nymph

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

2

a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects <students in science class learning how to distinguish a dragonfly naiad from an earthworm>

Synonyms naiad, nymph

Related Words pupa