from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Incubus \In"cu*bus\, n.; pl. E. {Incubuses}, L. {Incubi}. [L.,
the nightmare. Cf. {Incubate}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have
sexual intercourse with women by night. --Tylor.
[1913 Webster]
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.
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2. (Med.) The nightmare. See {Nightmare}.
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Such as are troubled with incubus, or witch-ridden,
as we call it. --Burton.
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3. Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that
prevents the free use of the faculties.
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Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most
heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey.
--J. L.
Farley.
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