incubus

• Nom désignant un démon mâle qui, dans les croyances populaires, s'allonge sur les personnes endormies (surtout les femmes) pour les oppresser, ou, plus généralement, une personne ou une situation qui pèse, tourmente ou accable comme un cauchemar.

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.

   incube

   • 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.

   Cauchemar oppressant

   • 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.

   Synonymesafflictionalbatrossburdenmillstonenightmareoppressiontormentweight

   Antonymesblessingbooncomfortrelief

3. Depressing personC2formal

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

   Personne déprimante

   • 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.

   Synonymesdownerkilljoymiseryspoilsportwet blanket