demon
UK: ˈdiːmən | US: ˈdiːmən
n. an evil spirit or devil in religious and mythological traditions
n. a person with great energy, skill, or relentless drive (often used positively, e.g., "a demon at chess")
n. (informal) something causing persistent trouble (e.g., "the demon of addiction")
The word "demon" traces back to the Greek daimōn (δαίμων), originally meaning "divine power," "fate," or "lesser deity." In early Greek thought, daimōnes were neutral or benevolent spirits. However, through Christian theology, the term shifted to denote malevolent beings, aligning with the concept of evil spirits or devils. The spelling "demon" emerged via Latin daemon and Old French démon, preserving the Greek root while narrowing its meaning to the malevolent.
The ancient text describes a demon haunting the deserted temple.
She’s a demon on the basketball court, scoring effortlessly.
He battled his inner demons of self-doubt for years.
The villagers performed rituals to ward off demons.
In folklore, a demon is often depicted with horns and a tail.