incubus

• n. 梦魇；沉重的负担

in-,进入，使，在上面，-cub,躺，词源同cubicle,succumb.古代传说中的梦淫妖（男，男上女下），在梦中与女子交媾，会吸取女人的精气。比较succubus,梦淫妖。

incubus (n.)

c. 1200, from Late Latin (Augustine), from Latin incubo "nightmare, one who lies down on (the sleeper)," from incubare "to lie upon" (see incubate). Plural is incubi. In the Middle Ages their existence was recognized by law.

1. Joyce regarded his US citizenship as a moral and political incubus.

乔伊斯把他的美国公民身份当做是一个道德和政治上的负担。

来自辞典例句

2. He was at the problem confronting him, weighted down the incubus of his working - class station.

眼前面临的问题叫他恐怖了.他那 工人阶级 的处境像梦宽一样压着他.

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