Daemon
/ˈdiː.mən/noun
An ancient spirit or supernatural being; in modern technical use, a background computer program that runs continuously.
Did you know?In Greek thought, a daímōn could be a neutral or even protective spirit, and Socrates famously spoke of his personal daimonion as an inner divine sign rather than an evil entity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*da-
“to divide, distribute”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δαίμων (daímōn)
“a divinity; a guiding spirit; later, an inferior supernatural being”
Late Latin
Latin
daemon
“a spirit or supernatural being”
Old French
Old French
demon
“an evil spirit or devil”
Middle English
English
demon
“an evil spirit; fiend”
Modern English
English
daemon
“a spirit-like being; in computing, a background service process”