Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Greek mythology) A sea nymph: A "nereid" is one of the 50 sea nymphs in Greek mythology, specifically the daughters of the sea god Nereus and the Oceanid Doris. They are benevolent deities of the Mediterranean Sea, often depicted as beautiful maidens who accompany Poseidon and help sailors.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thetis, the mother of Achilles, was the most famous nereid.
  • In the myth, the nereids guided the ship safely through the storm.
  • Artists often painted nereids riding on dolphins or sea creatures.

Advanced Usage

• As a proper noun (capitalized): When referring to the specific mythological beings as a group or by individual names.
  • The Nereid Galatea was beloved by the Cyclops Polyphemus.
• In scientific nomenclature: The term is used in zoology as the name for a family of marine polychaete worms (Nereididae), inspired by the mythological figures.
  • The ragworm belongs to the family Nereididae.

Variants and Related Words

• Nereides: An alternative plural form, directly from Greek.
• Nereus: The father of the nereids.
• Oceanid: A different type of sea nymph, daughter of Oceanus.

Synonyms

• Sea nymph: A general term for a female spirit of the sea.
• Sea maiden: A poetic term for a female sea deity.

Related Phrases and Idioms

(This word is primarily a proper noun from mythology and does not have common phrasal verbs or idioms in everyday English.)

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) any of the 50 sea nymphs who were daughters of the sea god Nereus