demon
de·mon
noun \ˈdē-mən\Definition of DEMON
1
a : an evil spirit b : a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin
2
usually daemon : an attendant power or spirit : genius
3
usually daemon : a supernatural being of Greek mythology intermediate between gods and men
4
: one that has exceptional enthusiasm, drive, or effectiveness <a demon for work>
— de·mo·ni·an \di-ˈmō-nē-ən\ adjective
— de·mon·i·za·tion \ˌdē-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
— de·mon·ize \ˈdē-mə-ˌnīz\ transitive verb
See Variants of DEMON
de·mon or dae·mon \ˈdē-mən\
Examples of DEMON
- <only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon>
- <a man who was finally able to conquer his demons and kick his drug habit>
Origin of DEMON
Middle English demon, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin daemon evil spirit, from Latin, divinity, spirit, from Greek daimōn, probably from daiesthai to distribute — more at tide
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to DEMON
Related Words: hag [archaic], lamia, vampire; incubus, nightmare, succubus; afreet (or afrit), genie, jinni (or jinn also djinni or djinn); apparition, banshee, bogey (also bogie or bogy), bugbear, familiar, familiar spirit, genius, phantasm (also fantasm), phantom, poltergeist, shade, shadow, specter (or spectre), spirit, spook, vision, wraith; brownie, dwarf, elf, faerie (also faery), fairy, fay, gnome, goblin, gremlin, hobgoblin, kobold, leprechaun, pixie (also pixy), puck, sprite, troll; monster, ogre
Near Antonyms: angel
Other Occult Terms
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