incubus

American  

[in-kyuh-buhs, ing-] / ˈɪn kyə bəs, ˈɪŋ- /

noun

plural

incubi, incubuses

1. an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.

2. a nightmare.

3. something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.

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incubus British  

/ ˈɪnkjʊbəs /

noun

1. a demon believed in folklore to lie upon sleeping persons, esp to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women Compare succubus

2. something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession

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Etymology

Origin of incubus

1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin: a nightmare induced by such a demon, noun derivative of Latin incubāre to lie upon; incubate

Compare meaning

How does incubus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• succubus vs. incubus

Example Sentences

Either side of this 10-foot incubus Bryan Robson and Peter Shilton pose supportively, like game but frightened parents.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2020

But, as Pope Francis has said, there is a moral incubus on mankind to make a reality of Article 6 of the agreement pledging the abolition of nuclear weapons altogether. 

From US News • Aug. 10, 2015

At some midpoint in this incubus, it seemed that nothing would ever seem stupid, or at least surprisingly stupid, ever again.

From Slate

Would the board become a bureaucratic incubus like NRA?

From Time Magazine Archive

Freed from the shameful incubus of his presence she would breathe again.

From Starvecrow Farm by Weyman, Stanley J.