Fiend
/fiːnd/noun
An evil spirit or demon; a wicked or cruel person.
Did you know?In medieval texts, 'fiend' was often synonymous with 'enemy,' suggesting a deep connection between malevolence and opposition in human nature.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*fiundi
“hostile one, enemy, or adversary”
Old English
OE
fiend
“enemy, foe, or one who opposes”
Middle English
ME
fiend
“demon or evil spirit, often associated with Satan”
14th Century
English
fiend
“a supernatural being or wicked person, reflecting the Christian context of evil”
Modern English
English
fiend
“commonly refers to a demon or very wicked person, retaining its sinister connotation”