1. Plural of hamadryad; in Greek mythology, tree nymphs believed to be born with and to die with their trees.
Usage: classical mythology; plural form

Examples

• In ancient Greek mythology, the hamadryades were spirits bound to the fate of their trees.
• The poet invoked the hamadryades to protect the sacred grove from harm.
• According to legend, if a hamadryad's tree was cut down, the nymph would perish.
• The hamadryades were said to dance among the oaks and pines of the forest.
• Classical texts describe the hamadryades as immortal only as long as their trees survived.