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

"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

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

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

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