hamadryad

[ ham-uh-drahy-uhd, -ad ]

noun

, plural ham·a·dry·ads, ham·a·dry·a·des [ham-, uh, -, drahy, -, uh, -deez].

1. Classical Mythology. a dryad who is the spirit of a particular tree.
2. king cobra.

hamadryad

/ ˌhæməˈdraɪəd; -æd /

noun

1. classical myth one of a class of nymphs, each of which inhabits a tree and dies with it
2. another name for king cobra

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamadryad¹

< Latin, stem of Hamādryas wood nymph < Greek, equivalent to hama together with (cognate with same ) + dryás dryad

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamadryad¹

C14: from Latin Hamādryas, from Greek Hamadruas, from hama together with + drus tree; see dryad

Example Sentences

The exhibit demonstrates her step-by-step process with “Heart of the Storm,” an iconic image of two hamadryads, classical mythology’s tree-huggers, from her recurring cast of Pan and his fellow wood nymphs.

From New York Times

If the gentle hamadryad which, for aught I know, still dwelleth in every living tree, saw this gross affront, there were utterances which were nigh unto cursing.

From Project Gutenberg

"If there were fauns and hamadryads!" she said softly, turning to him to soothe his misery.

From Project Gutenberg

The "genius loci," the "dryad" or "hamadryad," is the counterpart of the cherubim guarding the ark and the mercyseat of the Jewish temple.

From Project Gutenberg

I have just sent people to Abyssinia to fetch me some big silver-gray lion-monkeys, sometimes called hamadryads.

From Project Gutenberg