incubus

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
  2. noun a situation resembling a terrifying dream
  3. noun someone who depresses or worries others

Etymology

From Late Latin incubus, from Latin incubō (“nightmare, one who lies down on the sleeper”), from incubō (“to lie upon, to hatch”, from in- (“on”) + cubō (“to lie down”)).

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