abounding
EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionaryf='x-mw://xlookup/quit'>quit
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryRelated Words
Near Antonyms
demon
variants: or daemon
plural demons or daemons
Definition
- : an evil spirit //angels and demons: a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin //the demons of drug and alcohol addiction //confronting the demons of his childhood
- usually daemon, mythology : a supernatural being whose nature is intermediate between that of a god and that of a human being
- : one that has exceptional enthusiasm, drive, or effectiveness //a demon for work //Doug, putting like a demon, had birdies on the third and sixth … — Fred Tupper
- daemon : a software program or process that runs in the background //A mailer daemon installed on an e-mail system can respond to a piece of incorrectly addressed e-mail by generating an automated message to the sender that the message was undeliverable. — J. D. Biersdorfer
Examples
- //only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon
- //a man who was finally able to conquer his demons and kick his drug habit
First Known Use
before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and Etymology
Middle English, "evil spirit," borrowed from Late Latin daemōn "evil spirit, pagan deity, idol," going back to Latin, "supernatural being, spirit intermediate between humans and gods," borrowed from Greek daimon-, daímōn "superhuman power, variably evil or beneficent, intervening in human affairs, fate" (Homeric), "personal spirit, bringing luck or ill, that accompanies an individual," "spirit intermediate between humans and gods" (Plato), "evil spirit" (New Testament), probably from dai-, stem of daíomai, daíesthai "to divide, allocate" + -mōn, deverbal noun and adjective suffix — more at tide entry 1demon
noun
variants: or daemon
Synonyms & Antonyms
- an evil spirit //only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demonRelated WordsRelated WordsNear Antonyms
demon
variants: or daemon
plural demons or daemons
Definition
- : an evil spirit //angels and demons: a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin //the demons of drug and alcohol addiction //confronting the demons of his childhood
- usually daemon, mythology : a supernatural being whose nature is intermediate between that of a god and that of a human being
- : one that has exceptional enthusiasm, drive, or effectiveness //a demon for work //Doug, putting like a demon, had birdies on the third and sixth … — Fred Tupper
- daemon : a software program or process that runs in the background //A mailer daemon installed on an e-mail system can respond to a piece of incorrectly addressed e-mail by generating an automated message to the sender that the message was undeliverable. — J. D. Biersdorfer
Examples
- //only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon
- //a man who was finally able to conquer his demons and kick his drug habit
First Known Use
before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and Etymology
Middle English, "evil spirit," borrowed from Late Latin daemōn "evil spirit, pagan deity, idol," going back to Latin, "supernatural being, spirit intermediate between humans and gods," borrowed from Greek daimon-, daímōn "superhuman power, variably evil or beneficent, intervening in human affairs, fate" (Homeric), "personal spirit, bringing luck or ill, that accompanies an individual," "spirit intermediate between humans and gods" (Plato), "evil spirit" (New Testament), probably from dai-, stem of daíomai, daíesthai "to divide, allocate" + -mōn, deverbal noun and adjective suffix — more at tide entry 1