incubus

[in-kyuh-buhs, ing-]

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.

incubus

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incubus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incubus¹

C14: from Late Latin, from incubāre to lie upon; see _incubate