Incubuses

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Incubus \In"cu*bus\, n.; pl. E. {Incubuses}, L. {Incubi}. [L.,
     the nightmare. Cf. {Incubate}.]
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     1. A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have
        sexual intercourse with women by night. --Tylor.
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              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.
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     2. (Med.) The nightmare. See {Nightmare}.
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              Such as are troubled with incubus, or witch-ridden,
              as we call it.                        --Burton.
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     3. Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that
        prevents the free use of the faculties.
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              Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most
              heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey.
                                                    --J. L.
                                                    Farley.
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