In"cu*bus (?), n.; pl. E. Incubuses (#), L. Incubi (#). [L., the nightmare. Cf. Incubate.]
1.
A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have sexual intercourse with women by night.
Tylor.
The devils who appeared in the female form were generally called succubi; those who appeared like men incubi, though this distinction was not always preserved.
Lecky.
2. Med.
The nightmare. See Nightmare.
Such as are troubled with incubus, or witch-ridden, as we call it.
Burton.
3.
Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that prevents the free use of the faculties.
Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey.
J. L. Farley.
© Webster 1913.