lamia

[ ley-mee-uh ]

noun

, plural la·mi·as, la·mi·ae [ley, -mee-ee]

1. Classical Mythology. one of a class of fabulous monsters, commonly represented with the head and breast of a woman and the body of a serpent, said to allure youths and children in order to suck their blood.
2. a vampire; a female demon.
3. (initial capital letter, italics) a narrative poem (1819) by John Keats.

lamia

/ ˈleɪmɪə /

noun

1. classical myth one of a class of female monsters depicted with a snake's body and a woman's head and breasts
2. a vampire or sorceress

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamia¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek lámia a female man-eater

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamia¹

C14: via Latin from Greek Lamia

Example Sentences

“The uprising has been a big challenge for us…really, the situation is awful,” said Lamia Assem, director of marketing.

From The Daily Beast

The chief prey of the Lamia was, it appears, members of the human species, preferably males.

From Project Gutenberg

Harkaman was intending to use her for retraining of all the Lamia and Space Scourge officers, and rotated them back and forth.

From Project Gutenberg

Maybe it would be for the Lamia, but we have a three-ship fleet and a planetary base to meet expenses on.

From Project Gutenberg

Another Beowulf ship blew up, a craft about the size of Spasso's Lamia.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed the passion of Demetrius for Lamia caused not only his wives but his friends to dislike her and be jealous of her.

From Project Gutenberg