Naiad, nā′yad, n. a water-nymph or a goddess, presiding over rivers and springs:—pl. Nai′ades. [L. and Gr. naias, naiados, from naein, to flow.]
Naiant, nā′yant, adj. floating: (her.) swimming, as a fish placed horizontally across a shield. [L. nans, nantis, pr.p. of natāre, to swim.]
Naïf, nä-ēf′, Naïve, nä-ēv′, adj. with natural or unaffected simplicity, esp. in thought, manners, or speech: artless: ingenuous.—adv. Naïve′ly.—n. Naïveté (nä-ēv-tā′), natural simplicity and unreservedness of thought, manner, or speech. [Fr. naïf, fem, naïve—L. nativus, native—nasci, natus, to be born.]
Nail, nāl, n. one of the flattened, elastic, horny plates placed as protective coverings on the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes: the claw of a bird or other animal: a thin pointed piece of metal for fastening wood: a measure of length (2¼ inches):—v.t. to fasten with nails: to make certain: to confirm, pin down, hold fast: to catch or secure through promptitude; to trip up or expose.—ns. Nail′-brush, a small brush for cleaning the nails; Nail′er, one whose trade is to make nails; Nail′ery, a place where nails are made.—adj. Nail′-head′ed, having a head like that of a nail: formed like nail-heads, said of ornamental marks on cloth and on certain kinds of mouldings (dog-tooth).—n. Nail′-rod, a strip cut from an iron plate to be made into nails: a trade name for a strong kind of manufactured tobacco.—Nail to the counter, to expose publicly as false, from the habit of nailing a counterfeit coin to a shop counter.—Drive a nail in one's coffin (see Coffin); Hit the nail on the head, to touch the exact point; On the nail, on the spot: immediately: without delay. [A.S. nægel; Ger. nagel.]
Nainsell, nān′sel, n. own self—Highland Scotch.
Nainsook, nān′sōōk, n. a kind of muslin like jaconet, both plain and striped. [Hind.]
Naissant, nās′sant, adj. (her.) rising or coming forth, as an animal newly born or about to be born. [Fr., pr.p. of naître—L. nasci, natus, to be born.]
Naïve. See Naïf.
Naked, nā′ked, adj. without clothes: uncovered: open to view: unconcealed: evident: unarmed: defenceless: unprovided: without addition or ornament: simple: artless: (bot.) without the usual covering.—adv. Nā′kedly.—n. Nā′kedness.—Naked eye, the eye unassisted by glasses of any kind; Naked lady, the meadow-saffron.—Stark naked, entirely naked. [A.S. nacod; Ger. nackt.]
Naker, nā′ker, n. a kettledrum. [O. Fr.,—Ar.]