[na.iad] n, pl na.iads or na.ia.des [ME, fr. MF or L; MF naiade, fr. L naiad-, naias, fr. Gk, fr. nan to flow--more at nourish] (14c) 1: any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains
2: any of the aquatic young of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly--compare nymph 3
3: any of a genus (Najas of the family Najadaceae) of submerged aquatic plants