incubus
UK: ˈɪŋkjʊbəs | US: ˈɪŋkjəbəs
n. 1. A male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women.
n. 2. A nightmare or oppressive burden.
n. 3. (Figurative) A source of persistent anxiety or distress.
The word "incubus" originates from Late Latin incubus (nightmare), derived from incubare (to lie upon). The morpheme in- means "upon," and cub- comes from cubare (to lie down). The concept reflects the folkloric belief of a demon lying atop sleepers, causing suffocation or nightmares. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to denote any oppressive force.
The villagers feared the incubus would visit them at night.
Debt became an incubus, weighing heavily on his mind.
She woke in a panic, as if an incubus had haunted her dreams.
The political scandal was an incubus on the candidate’s campaign.
Medieval art often depicted the incubus as a monstrous figure.