Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
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.
noun plural -bi (-ˌbaɪ) or -buses
- a demon believed in folklore to lie upon sleeping persons, esp to have sexual intercourse with sleeping womenCompare succubus
- something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession
c.1200, from Late Latin (Augustine), from Latin incubo “nightmare, one who lies down on (the sleeper),” from incubare “to lie upon” (see incubate). Plural is incubi. In the Middle Ages their existence was recognized by law.
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.