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

/ -æd; ˌhæməˈdraɪəd /

noun

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

Pomona was a Hamadryad, and was so devoted to the care of her trees that she scorned the idea of love.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a sad mistake did Dryope once make, and suffered for her carelessness by being changed from a mortal into a Hamadryad.

From Project Gutenberg

It is like the bite of a hamadryad,” he said softly, “but there is no mark.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hamadryad was born with the tree, flourished and died with it.

From Project Gutenberg

The hamadryad, as you probably know, is perhaps the deadliest of all Eastern reptiles.

From Project Gutenberg