n., pl., -a·des (-ə-dēz'), or -ads.
- Greek Mythology. One of the nymphs who lived in and presided over brooks, springs, and fountains.
- Naiad The satellite of Neptune that is closest to the planet.
- The aquatic nymph of certain insects, such as the mayfly, damselfly, or dragonfly.
- An aquatic plant of the genus Naias.
[Middle English, from Latin nāias, nāiad-, from Greek nāias, probably from nān, to flow.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
