incubus

• Ein männlicher Dämon, von dem man glaubte, dass er sich auf Schlafende (besonders Frauen) legt und sie bedrückt; allgemeiner auch eine Person oder Sache, die andere bedrückt, quält oder belastet wie ein Albtraum.

A noun referring to a male demon that was believed to lie on and oppress sleeping people, especially women, or more generally to a person or situation that oppresses, worries, or burdens others like a nightmare.

1. C1formal

   A male demon from folklore believed to lie upon sleeping people, especially women, to have sexual intercourse with them.

   Incubus

   • Medieval texts often describe the incubus as a creature of the night.
   • She woke up terrified, convinced an incubus had visited her.
   • Legends of the incubus appear in many cultures around the world.

2. C1formal

   A situation or experience that feels like a terrifying dream; a heavy, oppressive burden.

   Drückende Last

   • The debt became an incubus that haunted him for years.
   • Living under that regime was an incubus for the entire population.
   • The secret he carried felt like an incubus on his conscience.

   Synonymeafflictionalbatrossburdenmillstonenightmareoppressiontormentweight

   Antonymeblessingbooncomfortrelief

3. Depressing personC2formal

   A person who depresses or worries others, often by being overly demanding or negative.

   Belastende Person

   • His constant complaining made him an incubus at the office.
   • She felt her critical boss was an incubus on her creativity.
   • The team avoided him because he was such an incubus.

   Synonymedownerkilljoymiseryspoilsportwet blanket