naiad
naiad
Definition
naiad (nā′ad′, nī′-; -əd)
noun pl. naiads -·ads′ or naiades -·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.
Naiad Quotes
On desperate seas long wont to roam, Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face, Thy Naiad airs have brought me home To the glory that was Greece, And the grandeur that was Rome.
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