Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Nereid

Ne′re-id

,
Noun.
;
pl. E.
Nereids
(#)
, L.
Nereides
(#)
.
[L.
Nereis
,
-idis
, Gr.
Νηρεῒσ
Νηρηῒς
,
Νηρηῒδος
, a daughter of Nereus, a nymph of the sea, fr.
Νηρεύσ
Nereus, an ancient sea god; akin to
νηρόσ
wet, Skr.
nāra
water, cf. Gr.
νάειν
to flow.]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
A sea nymph, one of the daughters of Nereus, who were attendants upon Neptune, and were represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes with the human form entire, and sometimes with the tail of a fish.
2.
(Zool.)
Any species of
Nereis
. The word is sometimes used for similar annelids of other families.

Webster 1828 Edition


Nereid

NEREID

,
Noun.
In mythology, a sea nymph. In ancient monuments, the Nereids are represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes with the human form entire, and sometimes with the tail of a fish. They were the daughters of Nereus, and constantly attended Neptune.