The Collaborative International Dictionary
Nereid \Ne"re*id\, n.; pl. E. Nereids, L. Nereides. [L. Nereis, -idis, Gr. Nhrei:`s Nhrhi:`s, Nhrhi:`dos, a daughter of Nereus, a nymph of the sea, fr. Nhrey`s Nereus, an ancient sea god; akin to nhro`s wet, Skr. n[=a]ra water, cf. Gr. na`ein to flow.]
(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.
(Zo["o]l.) Any species of Nereis. The word is sometimes used for similar annelids of other families.
Nereis \Ne"re*is\ (? or ?), prop. n.; pl. Nereides. [L.]
(Class. Myth.) A Nereid. See Nereid.
(Zo["o]l.) A genus, including numerous species, of marine ch[ae]topod annelids, having a well-formed head, with two pairs of eyes, antenn[ae], four pairs of tentacles, and a protrusile pharynx, armed with a pair of hooked jaws.
WordNet
See nereid
Usage examples of "nereides".
Fortunately for the Nereides his mate, Mr Fenton, was a sound practical ship's surgeon, for McAdam had little interest in physical medicine.