lamia

American  

[ley-mee-uh] / ˈleɪ mi ə /

noun

plural

lamias, lamiae

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.

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lamia British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of lamia

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

Example Sentences

As he journeyed, a lamia presented herself before him, and said, "I have a great desire to eat thee, but thou also excitest pity, and so I leave thee thy life."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

"I know nothing about it, my son," replied the lamia; "but go ask my second sister."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

The Seventy, in Isaiah, translate the Hebrew lilith by lamia.

From The Phantom World or, The philosophy of spirits, apparitions, &c, &c. by Christmas, Henry

The lamia ran as fast as she could after them, to catch them up, and when she came to a field where people were working she asked them: 'Have you seen anyone pass this way?'

From The Grey Fairy Book by Lang, Andrew

So he went forward and did all the lamia advised.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir