The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word NAIAD
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
N
A
I
A
D
More clues leading to the result NAIAD
- Diana unusually displaying natural spirit
- Nymph heard near middle of meadow
- Nymph originally named by a retired Welshman
- Female spirit essential to sonata Grieg made
- Fabulous spring being in Paris and retaining every second!
- What’s upset Welshman? An immature flighty thing
- Diana disguised as a nymph
- Desperate character holding top up for nymph
- Some of old A1 a nightmare going north in a Sprite
- Desperate man rises, hugging fine fantastic girl
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NAIAD mean?
NAIAD noun- A female deity (nymph) associated with water, especially a spring, stream, or other fresh water.
- The aquatic larva (nymph) of a dragonfly or damselfly.
- Any of various aquatic plants of the genus Najas.