incubus

Definition

An evil spirit supposed to oppress people while asleep, especially to have sex with women as they sleep.

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”)).

Example Sentences

• "it increaseth fearful dreams, incubus, night-walking, crying out, and much unquietness […] ."
• "Again he felt the impulse of flight: but his body was a dry dead incubus that refused to obey his volition."
• "Ahead of us the lowering smoke-screen of Leeds and her gloomy satellites hung like an incubus over the land."

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