1. a nymph or spirit of the woods in Greek mythology
Usage: mythology

Examples

• The ancient Greeks believed that each oak tree was home to a dryad.
• In the fairy tale, the dryad emerged from her tree to help the lost traveler.
• The artist painted a beautiful dryad dancing among the forest leaves.
• According to legend, harming a tree would anger its dryad.
• The dryad’s life was said to be bound to her particular tree.
• Children loved stories about the friendly dryad who protected the woodland creatures.