Ham"a*dry`ad (?), n.; pl. E. Hamadryads (#), L. Hamadryades (#). [L. Hamadryas, -adis, Gr. ; together + oak, tree: cf. F. hamadryade. See Same, and Tree.]
1. Class. Myth.
A tree nymph whose life ended with that of the particular tree, usually an oak, which had been her abode.
2. Zool.
A large venomous East Indian snake (Orhiophagus bungarus), allied to the cobras.
© Webster 1913.