in·cu·bus (nky-bs, ng-)
n., pl. in·cu·bus·es or in·cu·bi (-b).
1.An evil spirit believed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women as they
sleep.
2.A nightmare.
3.An oppressive or nightmarish burden.
suc·cu·bus (sky-bs) also suc·cu·ba (-b).
n., pl. suc·cu·bus·es or suc·cu·bi (-b, -b) also suc·cu·bae (-b, -b).
1.A female demon supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with a man while
he sleeps.
2.An evil spirit; a demon.
[Middle English from Medieval Latin alteration (influenced by Late Latin incubus, incubus); see
incubus of Latin succuba, paramour, from succubre, to lie under: sub-, sub- + cubre,
to lie down.]
[Middle English from Late Latin from Latin incub, from incubre, to lie down on; see
incubate.] |
