Definition of 'demon'
Word forms: plural demons
regional note: in BRIT, also use daemon
1. countable noun
A demon is an evil spirit.
2. countable noun [usually plural]
3. countable noun
4. countable noun
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
demon in British English
noun
2.
4.
a.
a demon at cycling
b.
(as modifier)
a demon cyclist
5. a variant spelling of daemon (sense 1)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C15: from Latin daemōn evil spirit, spirit, from Greek daimōn spirit, deity, fate; see daemonWord Frequency
demon in American English
noun
1.
daemon (sense 1) daemon (sense 2)
2.
a devil; evil spirit
3.
a person or thing regarded as evil, cruel, etc.
the demon of jealousy
4.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME < L: see daemonWord Frequency
demon in American English
(ˈdimən)
noun
1.
an evil spirit; devil or fiend
2.
an evil passion or influence
3.
a person considered extremely wicked, evil, or cruel
6. daemon
adjective
8.
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or noting a demon
9.
possessed or controlled by a demon
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1350–1400; ME ‹ L daemonium ‹ Gk daimónion, thing of divine nature (in Jewish and Christian writers, evil spirit), neut. of
daimónios, deriv. of daímōn; (def. 6) ‹ L; see daemon]Word Frequency
demon- in American English
combining form
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
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