demoniac
|de-mo-ni-ac|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈmoʊniæk/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈməʊniæk/
possessed by a demon; demon-like frenzy
Etymology
'demoniac' originates from Late Latin 'demoniacus', from Greek 'daimon-' / 'daimonios' meaning 'of a spirit or demon'.
'demoniac' developed from Greek 'daimon' (δαίμων) → Late Latin 'demoniacus' → Middle English 'demoniak' / 'demoniac', eventually becoming the modern English word 'demoniac'.
Initially, it meant 'pertaining to a demon' or 'possessed by a demon'; over time it also acquired figurative senses of 'frenzied' or 'extremely wicked' used in modern English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person believed to be possessed by a demon or to behave in a demoniac (frenzied or wicked) way.
In the old stories the villagers called him a demoniac after the terrible events.
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Adjective 1
possessed by or as if by a demon; affected by demonic influence.
The priest examined the boy, convinced he was demoniac and in need of an exorcism.
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Adjective 2
frenzied, wildly violent or uncontrollable; resembling the rage or intensity of a demon.
His demoniac laughter made everyone in the room uneasy.
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Last updated: 2025/10/24 11:12