lamia
/'leimiə/
Definition
- Noun:
- A mythological monster: In folklore, a "lamia" is a female demon or vampire-like creature believed to be a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living, often specifically targeting children.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The ancient tale described a lamia haunting the village outskirts.
- Parents warned their children about the lamia that supposedly preyed on the unwary.
Advanced Usage
- As a symbolic or literary figure: The term "lamia" is often used in poetry and literature to represent a seductive but dangerous female figure or a metaphor for consuming obsession.
- The poet used the image of a lamia to symbolize the destructive nature of forbidden desire.
Variants and Related Words
- Lamiaceous (adj): Pertaining to the mint family of plants (Lamiaceae). This is a scientific homograph with a completely different meaning unrelated to the mythological creature.
- Lamian (adj): A rare adjective form meaning "of or like a lamia."
Synonyms
- Vampire: A reanimated corpse that feeds on the living.
- Succubus: A female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men.
- Ghoul: An evil spirit or monster in Arabian folklore that robs graves and feeds on corpses.
Related Phrases and Idioms
(This word is primarily used as a specific noun and is not commonly part of phrasal verbs or modern idioms.)
Notes on Different Meanings
- The primary and most common meaning is the mythological monster.
- In a completely separate context, "Lamia" is also the name of a genus of moths and the scientific family name for plants like mint (Lamiaceae). These are technical terms and not related to the folklore definition.
Noun
-
(folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living
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