[ney-ad, -uh
d, nahy-] 
[-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. |
| nai·ad (nā'əd, -ād', nī'-) n. pl. nai·a·des (-ə-dēz') or nai·ads
[Middle English, from Latin nāias, nāiad-, from Greek nāias, probably from nān, to flow; see (s)nāu- in Indo-European roots.] |
