demon

¹ American  

[dee-muhn] / ˈdi mən /

noun

1. an evil spirit; devil or fiend.

2. an evil passion or influence.

3. a person considered extremely wicked, evil, or cruel.

4. a person with great energy, drive, etc..

   He's a demon for work.

5. a person, especially a child, who is very mischievous.

   His younger son is a real little demon.

6. daemon.

7. Australian Slang. a policeman, especially a detective.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or noting a demon.

2. possessed or controlled by a demon.

demon- ² American  

1. variant of demono- before a vowel.

   demonism.

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demon British  

/ ˈdiːmən /

noun

1. an evil spirit or devil

2. a person, habit, obsession, etc, thought of as evil, cruel, or persistently tormenting

3. Also called: daemon.   daimon.  an attendant or ministering spirit; genius

   the demon of inspiration

4. 1. a person who is extremely skilful in, energetic at, or devoted to a given activity, esp a sport

      a demon at cycling

   2. ( as modifier )

      a demon cyclist

5. a variant spelling of daemon

6. informal a detective or policeman

7. computing a part of a computer program, such as a help facility, that can run in the background behind the current task or application, and which will only begin to work when certain conditions are met or when it is specifically invoked

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Usage

What does demon- mean? Demon- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “demon.” It is used in a few technical terms, especially in theology.Demon- comes from the Greek daimónion, meaning “thing of divine nature” and ultimate source of the English word demon. Among Jewish and Christian writers, daimónion was used to mean “evil spirit.”Demon- is a variant of demono-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.Want to know more? Read our Words That Use demono- article.

Etymology

Origin of demon

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin daemonium < Greek daimónion, thing of divine nature (in Jewish and Christian writers, evil spirit), neuter of daimónios, derivative of daímōn; demon ( def. 6 ) < Latin; daemon

Example Sentences

I’ll note that the demon is a more honest and fair negotiator than his vassals, who occasionally cheat and are punished in exactly the way you’re hoping to see.

From Los Angeles Times

His father’s face was grim; he didn’t seem like Fa anymore, ‘Some -demon -from the Otherworld -has entered it and made it evil.’

From Literature

Fitzpatrick had his own demons given his double bogey on that same hole, also in the third round.

From BBC

Traded among students, these stickers, like so much else to do with the hit film -about a K-pop girl group using their golden voices to fight demons - are everywhere in eight-year-old Oona's life.

From BBC

Their hopes of chasing Irish demons from their door had gone, but with a five-metre lineout to come there was a chance of a crumb.

From BBC

Related Words

• fiend
• malignant spirit
• monster
• vampire
• villain