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DictionarydemoniacSpirit possession
adjective / noun

demoniac

dih-MOH-nee-ak/dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/

Possessed or seemingly controlled by an evil spirit.

In the tale, the priest confronts a demoniac man.

A priest raises a cross before a man shown under the control of a translucent demonic spirit.
Etymology
demonGreekdeity, spirit
+iacGreekrelating to

The spirit root and adjective ending originally described someone possessed by a demon. The meaning widened from possession to relating to demons, and then to being devilish or demon-like.

In context

Libranima48:34
She hath a demoniac goat with horns of the devil, which reads, which writes, which knows mathematics like Picatrix
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame - Hugo (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 2 of 2

More examples

  • The priest approaches the demoniac and begins to pray.
  • The film shows a demoniac child speaking in a strange voice.
  • Villagers in the legend believe the demoniacs need an exorcism.

Forms

demoniac · demoniacs

Similar words

possessed
Describes control by a spirit, without necessarily implying evil.
demonic
Describes something devilishly evil, not necessarily controlled by spirits.