Etymology Map
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Incubus

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a male demon believed to lie upon sleeping women; a nightmare

Where does the word "incubus" come from? It comes from Latin incubāre, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
incubāre
Latin · ancient
"to lie upon"
to lie upon, the root of 'incubate'
2
Stage 2 of 3
incubus
Late Latin · ancient
"nightmare demon"
a nightmare demon; medieval demonology, as in the 'Malleus Maleficarum' of 1486, gave it lurid detail
3
Stage 3 of 3
incubus
English · 1200s
"demon; burden"
also figuratively a crushing burden
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Read the full story

Incubus’s story begins in Latin: incubāre meant “to lie upon.” To lie upon, the root of 'incubate'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as incubus. A nightmare demon; medieval demonology, as in the 'Malleus Maleficarum' of 1486, gave it lurid detail. It reached English by 1200s as incubus. Also figuratively a crushing burden. Today, incubus means a male demon believed to lie upon sleeping women; a nightmare.