Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēmōn n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dēmōn n. |
| Etymology | ML dǣmōn, dēmōn (ult.Gr.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An evil spirit; an incubus; a devil; (b) the attendant spirit of Socrates; (c) ?as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15783 : Heo beoð ihaten ful iwis incubii demones.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)18a/b : He hatte demon, & plato..clepiþ hym cathodemon [L cacodemon]..for demon is to menynge knowinge.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)8088 : Incuby demones, ys cald þer name, ffendes-in-bedde, as our bokes sayn, þat many woman han forlayn.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)371/452 : Blow flamys of fer..mak redy ageyn we com to this demon [rime: preson].
- c1425 Wycl.Antichr.(2) (Dub 245)144 : Þei syten in þe trones..demyng her owne made lawes, þe demonyes causes longe to plete for a litle.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.279 : Socrates..was alway tendaunt to a spirit þat was i-cleped demon [L dæmon].
c
- (1222) Domesday Bk.St.Paul in Camd.6941 : Robertus demon.