Incubo
/ɪnˈkjuːboʊ/noun
A rare English noun for an incubus, a male demon traditionally believed to lie upon sleeping people and have sexual intercourse with them.
Did you know?The Latin root behind Incubo described lying or brooding over something, linking the night demon’s name to the incubating of eggs.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keub-
“To lie down or bend over; a reconstructed root associated with lying.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cubāre
“To lie down or recline.”
Classical Latin
Latin
incubāre
“To lie upon, rest on, brood over, or hatch eggs.”
Classical Latin
Latin
incubus
“A male demon believed to lie upon sleeping women; literally, one who lies upon.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
incubus
“A nightmare-producing demon or oppressive supernatural being.”
16th Century
Italian
incubo
“An incubus or oppressive nightmare.”
Modern English
English
incubo
“A rare variant or loanword meaning incubus.”