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Naiads - 2 dictionary results

nai⋅ad

  [ney-ad, -uhd, nahy-]
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–noun, plural -ads, -a⋅des  [-uh-deez] .
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) Classical Mythology. any of a class of nymphs presiding over rivers and springs.
2. the juvenile form of the dragonfly, damselfly, or mayfly.
3. a female swimmer, esp. an expert one.
4. Botany. a plant of the genus Najas, having narrow leaves and solitary flowers.
5. Entomology. an aquatic nymph.
6. a freshwater mussel.
Origin:
< L Nāïad- (s. of Nāïas) < Gk Nāïás a water nymph
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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nai·ad   (nā'əd, -ād', nī'-)   
n.   pl. nai·a·des (-ə-dēz') or nai·ads
  1. Greek Mythology One of the nymphs who lived in and presided over brooks, springs, and fountains.
  2. Naiad The satellite of Neptune that is closest to the planet.
  3. The aquatic nymph of certain insects, such as the mayfly, damselfly, or dragonfly.
  4. An aquatic plant of the genus Naias.

[Middle English, from Latin nāias, nāiad-, from Greek nāias, probably from nān, to flow; see (s)nāu- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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