dryad

[drahy-uh d, -ad] /ˈdraɪ əd, -æd/
noun, plural dryads, dryades
[drahy-uh-deez] /ˈdraɪ əˌdiz/ (Show IPA). (often initial capital letter) Classical Mythology
1.
a deity or nymph of the woods.
Compare hamadryad.
Origin
1545-55; extracted from Greek Dryádes, plural of Dryás, derivative of drŷ(s) tree, oak
Related forms
dryadic
[drahy-ad-ik] /draɪˈæd ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for dryad
  • There is also a sculpture of a dryad and boar in the high street.
British Dictionary definitions for dryad

dryad

/ˈdraɪəd; -æd/
noun (pl) -ads, -ades (-əˌdiːz)
1.
(Greek myth) a nymph or divinity of the woods
Derived Forms
dryadic (draɪˈædɪk) adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Latin Dryas, from Greek Druas, from drus tree
Word Origin and History for dryad
n.

1550s, from Latin dryas, from Greek dryas (plural dryades) "wood nymph," from drus (genitive dryos) "oak," from PIE *deru- "tree, wood, oak" (see tree (n.)).