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The word INCUBUS and its sister word SUCCUBUS, both sinister in meaning, essentially can be traced back to immoral and obscene origins.  The word INCUBUS is taken from the Latin incubo, which means “lie upon”. The word SUCCUBUS is taken from the Latin succumb, which means “lie beneath”.

An INCUBUS is the product of a demon having intercourse with a female human while she is asleep. On the other hand, a SUCCUBUS is the product of a female demon connecting with a male human also while he is asleep. In modern usage, the word INCUBUS can also refer to a handicap or burden, as in a person being described as unable to prosper because of the incubus of his family background. The word SUCCUBUS can also be used to describe a woman of loose morals, or in other cases, simply a termagant.