incubus
[ in-kyuh-buh s, ing- ]
/ ˈɪn kyə bəs, ˈɪŋ- /
noun, plural in·cu·bi [in-kyuh-bahy, ing-] /ˈɪn kyəˌbaɪ, ˈɪŋ-/, in·cu·bus·es.
an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.Compare succubus(def 1).
a nightmare.
something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
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Origin of incubus
1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin: a nightmare induced by such a demon, noun derivative of Latin incubāre to lie upon; see incubate
Can be confusedincubus succubus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for incubus
British Dictionary definitions for incubus
incubus
/ (ˈɪnkjʊbəs) /
noun plural -bi (-ˌbaɪ) or -buses
a demon believed in folklore to lie upon sleeping persons, esp to have sexual intercourse with sleeping womenCompare succubus
something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession
Word Origin for incubus
C14: from Late Latin, from incubāre to lie upon; see incubate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for incubus
incubus
c.1200, from Late Latin (Augustine), from Latin incubo "nightmare, one who lies down on (the sleeper)," from incubare "to lie upon" (see incubate). Plural is incubi. In the Middle Ages their existence was recognized by law.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for incubus
incubus
[ ĭn′kyə-bəs, ĭng′- ]
n. pl. in•cu•bus•es
An evil spirit believed to have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep.
A nightmare.
An oppressive or nightmarish burden.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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