incubus
[ in-kyuh-buh s, ing- ]
/ ˈɪn kyə bəs, ˈɪŋ- /
noun, plural in·cu·bi [in-kyuh-bahy, ing-] /ˈɪn kyəˌbaɪ, ˈɪŋ-/, in·cu·bus·es.
an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.
Compare succubus(def 1).
a nightmare.
something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
Origin of incubus
1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin: a nightmare induced by such a demon, noun derivative of Latin
incubāre to lie upon; see
incubate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH incubus
incubus succubusWords nearby incubus
Example sentences from the Web for incubus
British Dictionary definitions for incubus
incubus
/ (ˈɪnkjʊbəs) /
noun plural -bi (-ˌbaɪ) or -buses
a demon believed in folklore to lie upon sleeping persons, esp to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
Compare succubus
something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession
Word Origin for incubus
C14: from Late Latin, from
incubāre to lie upon; see
incubate
Medical definitions for incubus
incubus
[ ĭn′kyə-bəs, ĭng′- ]
n. pl. in•cu•bus•es
An evil spirit believed to have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep.
A nightmare.
An oppressive or nightmarish burden.