/nay"ad, -euhd, nuy"-/ , n. , pl. naiads, naiades /-euh deez'/ .
1. ( sometimes cap. ) Class. Myth. any of a class of nymphs presiding over rivers and springs.
2. the juvenile form of the dragonfly, damselfly, or mayfly.
3. a female swimmer, esp. an expert one.
4. Bot. a plant of the genus Najas, having narrow leaves and solitary flowers.
5. Entomol. an aquatic nymph.
6. a freshwater mussel.
[ Naïad- (s. of Naïas ) Naïás a water nymph ]