naiad

/ˈnaɪ.æd/

NOUN

1. A female water nymph in Greek mythology

A female mythological spirit or deity associated with fresh water, especially springs, streams, rivers, and fountains.

Refers to a female supernatural being believed to inhabit or protect freshwater sources such as springs, rivers, streams, and lakes.

According to Greek mythology, a naiad lived in the spring beneath the ancient oak tree.
The poet imagined a beautiful naiad guarding the river.
Local legends described the waterfall as the home of a mysterious naiad.

Refers more broadly to female supernatural beings in mythology, particularly nature spirits and minor deities associated with the natural world.

NOUN

An aquatic nymph or larval stage of insects such as dragonflies and damselflies, which develops in water before emerging as an adult.

Refers to the immature aquatic stage of insects, especially dragonflies and damselflies, that live underwater before reaching adulthood.

A dragonfly naiad spends much of its life underwater before emerging as an adult.
The researcher examined a naiad collected from the freshwater pond.
The aquatic naiad eventually crawled out of the water and began its transformation.

NOUN

A submerged freshwater aquatic plant belonging to the genus Najas, commonly known as water-nymph or naiad plants.

Refers to aquatic plants of the genus Najas that grow submerged in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waterways.