naiad

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   in Greek mythology, a female nymph believed to inhabit and protect a spring, river, lake, or fountain

   The painter placed a naiad among the reeds beside the moonlit pool.

2. 2
   noun

   the aquatic immature stage of a dragonfly, damselfly, mayfly, or related insect

   The biologist found a dragonfly naiad beneath a submerged stone.

3. 3
   noun

   a submerged aquatic plant of the genus Najas

   Dense beds of naiad sheltered small fish in the shallow lake.

From Latin Naias or Naiad-, from Ancient Greek Naias, a water nymph, related to naein, 'to flow.' Classical naiads personified fresh water; zoology later applied the name to aquatic insect nymphs, and botany to submerged water plants.

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