δαίμων

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Contents

Ancient Greek[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From δαίω (daíō, to divide, to allot), from Proto-Indo-European *deh₃-. Cognates include the Sanskrit adjective often applied to gods भग (bhága, dispenser, patron) and Old Persian 𐎲𐎥 (baga, god).

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

δαίμων (genitive δαίμονος) m, f, third declension; (daimōn)

  1. god, goddess
    1. divine power, deity
    2. guardian spirit (Latin genius), and so one's fate, destiny, fortune
  2. departed soul
  3. (ecclesiastical) demon, evil spirit

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

Usage notes[edit]

While δαίμων was sometimes used interchangeably with θεός, when used together in a context, a δαίμων is usually a lower god than a θεός.

Inflection[edit]

References[edit]