Oread
/ˈɔːr.iˌæd/noun
A mountain nymph in Greek mythology.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek mythology, where the Oreads were mountain nymphs; their name is tied to the same ancient root as words for mountains and rugged heights.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ὀρειάς (Oreiás)
“a mountain nymph”
Late Latin
Latin
Oreades
“mountain nymphs”
16th Century
English
oread
“a mountain nymph in classical mythology”
Modern English
English
Oread
“a mountain nymph”
Explore more surprising origins