noun
incubus
ING-kyuh-buhs/ˈɪŋkjʊbəs/
A male demon imagined to oppress sleeping women sexually.
In the legend, an incubus sexually torments women as they sleep.
Etymology
The image is of something lying upon a sleeper: a demon believed to cause nightmares. That oppressive presence became a figurative name for a distressing burden or influence.
In context
tottering under the incubus upon his back. Now that he knew what it was
More examples
- The old tale describes an incubus visiting a woman in her sleep.
- She identifies the male demon in the painting as an incubus.
- These stories portray incubi as male demons that prey on sleeping women.
Forms
incubus · incubi · incubuses
Similar words
- demon
- Names an evil spirit generally, without specifying sex or victims.