Words / B2

DEEM-uh-n/ˈdiːmən/

A demon is an evil spirit in stories and religion: a demon in; cast out demons. Devil is a close twin in some traditions; monster is broader. Name the demon only as the source names it, then the tradition. Mix-up: demon vs lemon; the informal “a demon for work” sense — use that only if the source names fierce skill; do not write demon for an ordinary villain with no spirit wording.

Meaning

An evil spirit in stories and religion.

Examples

• “Name the demon only as the source names it, then the tradition, the RS paper said.”
• “A demon in the poem still needs the quoted epithet, which is the literary sense — not a film caption.”

Good to know

a demon; cast out demons. Close: devil / evil spirit. Informal: a demon for work. Trap: lemon / an ordinary villain. RS and literature. An evil spirit — name the tradition or quote the line.

Near in meaning

devil, fiend, evil spirit

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