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