n.
Pronunciation: ' n ā - ə d, ' n ī -, - ˌ ad
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural na · iads or na · ia · des \ - ə - ˌ d ē z \
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French naïade, from Latin naiad-, naias, from Greek, from nan to flow ― more at NOURISH
Date: 14th century
1 : any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains
2 : an aquatic insect nymph (as of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)
3 : any of a genus ( Najas of the family Najadaceae) of submerged aquatic plants