incubus
Pronunciation: [ˈɪŋkjʊbəs]
Word
Context: “supernatural beings”
(noun) a male demon that is believed to sit on sleeping people, often causing bad dreams or a feeling of pressure. People in folklore thought this creature could visit humans at night.
Example
In ancient stories, an incubus would visit women while they slept, often in their dreams.
Example
She didn't believe that an incubus could harm her as she slept at night.
Example
Do you think an incubus could really exist and bother people in their sleep?
Context: “psychology”
(noun) a term used to describe the feeling of pressure or heaviness someone experiences during sleep, which can lead to nightmares. It’s sometimes linked to sleep paralysis.
Example
He felt a strong incubus when he woke up and couldn't move his body.
Example
She rarely experienced an incubus; when she slept, she felt relaxed and free.
Example
Have you ever had an experience like an incubus while waking up?
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