incubus
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Incubus
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Late Latin incubus, from Latin incubo (“nightmare, one who lies down on the sleeper”), from incubāre (“to lie upon, to hatch”), from in- (“on”) + cubāre (“to lie”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
incubus (plural incubi or incubuses)
- An evil spirit supposed to oppress people while asleep, especially to have sex with women as they sleep.
- A feeling of oppression during sleep, sleep paralysis; night terrors, a nightmare.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, vol. I, New York 2001, p. 249:
- it increaseth fearful dreams, incubus, night-walking, crying out, and much unquietness [...].
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, vol. I, New York 2001, p. 249:
- Any oppressive thing or person; a burden.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 132-3:
- Notions of civic virtue were at that moment changing, in ways which would make of Louis's alleged vices an incubus on the back of the monarchy.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 132-3:
- One of various of parasitic insects, especially Aphidiinae
Quotations [edit]
- For usage examples of this term, see the citations page.
Synonyms [edit]
- (a nightmare): nightmare
Hypernyms [edit]
- (an evil spirit): evil spirit, spirit
Translations [edit]
an evil spirit
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a nightmare
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oppressive thing or person; a burden
See also [edit]
Dutch [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Late Latin incubus, from Latin incubo (“nightmare, one who lies down on the sleeper”), from incubare (“to lie upon, to hatch”).
Noun [edit]
incubus m (plural incubussen or incubi, diminutive incubusje)
Synonyms [edit]
- (nightmare) nachtmerrie
See also [edit]
- succubus m
