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demon1

Syllabification: (de·mon)

Pronunciation: /ˈdēmən/

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Definition of demon

noun

1an evil spirit or devil, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell.
a cruel, evil, or destructive person or thing:I was a little demon, I can tell you
[often as modifier] a forceful, fierce, or skillful performer of a specified activity:a friend of mine is a demon cook a demon for work
reckless mischief; devilry:his eyes are bursting with pure demon

2another term for daemon¹ (sense 1).

Phrases

like a demon: in a very forceful, fierce, or skillful way:he worked like a demon

Origin:

Middle English: from medieval Latin, from Latin daemon, from Greek daimōn 'deity, genius'; demon¹ (sense 1) also from Latin daemonium 'lesser or evil spirit', from Greek daemonion, diminutive of daimōn

demon in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of demon in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

demon1

noun

Phrases

like a demon

Origin:

demon in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for demon

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