succubus

[ suhk-yuh-buhs ]

/ ˈsʌk yə bəs /

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noun, plural suc·cu·bi

[suhk-yuh-bahy]. /ˈsʌk yəˌbaɪ/.

a demon in female form, said to have sexual intercourse with men in their sleep.Compare incubus (def. 1).

any demon or evil spirit.

Archaic. a strumpet; prostitute.

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Origin of succubus

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, variant of Latin succuba succuba; cf. incubus

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH succubus

incubus, succubus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use succubus in a sentence

Then he passes to the middle ages, and dwells upon the popular belief in incubi and succubi.
A Problem in Modern Ethics|John Addington Symonds
Imps, male and female, called incubi and succubi respectively, were supposed to be the active agents in producing the affection.
Sleep and Its Derangements|William A. Hammond
I page through the book, and my eye is caught by the part about Incubi and Succubi.
Legends|August Strindberg
In those intellectual days people believed in what were called the Incubi and the Succubi.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 4 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll

During the witchcraft period familiarity of this nature with Incubi or Succubi was punished with death.
Woman, Church & State|Matilda Joslyn Gage

British Dictionary definitions for succubus

succubus

/ (ˈsʌkjʊbəs) /

noun plural -bi (-ˌbaɪ)

Also called: succuba a female demon fabled to have sexual intercourse with sleeping menCompare incubus

any evil demon

Word Origin for succubus

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin succuba harlot, from Latin succubāre to lie beneath, from sub- + cubāre to lie

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

succubus

Origin of succubus

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH succubus

Words related to succubus

How to use succubus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for succubus

Word Origin for succubus