demonic

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin daemonicus, from Ancient Greek δαιμονικός (daimonikós, possessed by a demon, sent by a demon), from δαίμων (daímōn), equivalent to demon +‎ -ic. Doublet of daimonic.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) enPR: dĭmŏ'nĭk, IPA(key): /dɪˈmɒnɪk/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɒnɪk

Adjective[edit]

demonic (comparative more demonic, superlative most demonic)

  1. Pertaining to demons or evil spirits; demoniac.
    Convinced that his uncle was a warlock, he rifled through his attic, looking for demonic artifacts.
    Once he had grasped the controls, he unleashed a demonic laugh that made his hostages shudder.
  2. Pertaining to daemons in ancient Greek thought; concerning supernatural ‘genius’.
    • 1999, Sigmund Freud, translated by Joyce Crick, The Interpretation of Dreams, section I:
      Aristotle concedes that the nature of the dream is indeed daemonic [translating dämonischer], but not divine – which might well reveal a profound meaning, if one could hit on the right translation.
  3. (by extension) Extremely cruel or evil; abhorrent or repugnant.
    • 2009, Peter Fleming, Stelios C. Zyglidopoulos, Charting Corporate Corruption: Agency, Structure and Escalation, page 40:
      Lifton goes on to argue that they can commit these demonic acts because they rationalize their behaviour. A whole array of rationalizations justified the murder of innocent men, women and children.
    • 2023 April 1, Jonathan Weisman, quoting Tucker Carlson, “Trump and Fox News, Twin Titans of Politics, Hit With Back-to-Back Rebukes”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:
      Texts show the star prime time host Tucker Carlson calling Mr. Trump a “demonic force,” []

Synonyms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin daemonicus. Equivalent to demon +‎ -ic.

Adjective[edit]

demonic m or n (feminine singular demonică, masculine plural demonici, feminine and neuter plural demonice)

  1. demonic, devilish

Declension[edit]