DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
In·cu·bus n.; pl. E. Incubuses L. Incubi
1. A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have sexual intercourse with women by night.
The devils who appeared in the female form were generally called succubi; those who appeared like men incubi, though this distinction was not always preserved. --Lecky.
2. Med. The nightmare. See Nightmare.
Such as are troubled with incubus, or witch-ridden, as we call it. --Burton.
3. Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that prevents the free use of the faculties.
Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey. --J. L. Farley.
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incubus
n 1: a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have
sexual intercourse with sleeping women
2: a situation resembling a terrifying dream [syn: nightmare]
3: someone who depresses or worries others
[also: incubi (pl)]