naiad

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nai·ad / ˈnāad; -əd; nī-/ • n. (pl. naiads or naiades / -əˌdēz/ ) 1. (also Naiad) (in classical mythology) a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall. 2. the aquatic larva or nymph of a dragonfly, mayfly, or stonefly. 3. a submerged aquatic plant (genus Najas, family Najadaceae) with narrow leaves and minute flowers.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

naiad

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naiad In Greek mythology, female figure or nymph, identified with streams, rivers, and lakes.

World Encyclopedia

Naiad

views updated May 08 2018

Naiad (Neptune III) A satellite of Neptune, with a diameter of 58 km; visual albedo 0.06.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

naiad

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naiad water-nymph. XVII. — L. — Gr. Nāïás, Nāïad-, rel. to náein flow. The pl. Naiades (XIV) repr. F. Naiades or L. Nāïadēs.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

naiad

views updated May 14 2018

naiad (in classical mythology) a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall. The name comes via Latin from Greek Naias, Naiad-, from naein ‘to flow’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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