incubus

noun

An evil spirit supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep.

noun

A nightmare.

noun

An oppressive or nightmarish burden.

noun

The nightmare.

noun

An imaginary being or demon, supposed to be the cause of nightmare; especially, such a being of the male sex who was supposed to consort with women in their sleep.

noun

Figuratively, a heavy or oppressive burden; especially, a heavy weight on the mind; anything that prevents the free use of the faculties.

noun

[capitalized] In entomology, a genus of parasitic hymenopters of the family Braconidæ: synonymous with Microgaster of Latreille.

noun

A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have sexual intercourse with women by night.

noun

The nightmare. See Nightmare.

noun

Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that prevents the free use of the faculties.