noun
succubus
SUHK-yuu-buhs
noun
1
In folklore, a female demon believed to seduce men in their sleep.
"The medieval woodcut depicted a succubus hovering over a sleeping monk."
How to Use Succubus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legendary female demon said to visit and seduce men in dreams.
Common mistake
A succubus is female; its male counterpart in folklore is the incubus.
Easily confused with
incubus
Word Forms
succubi plural, succubuses plural
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Etymology
From Late Latin succuba ("mythical female fiend"), from Latin succubare ("to lie under"), from sub- ("under") plus cubare ("to lie down"); shaped in Middle English to match incubus.