ephialtes

See also: Ephialtes and Éphialtès

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Ἐφιάλτης (Ephiáltēs).

Noun

ephialtes (plural ephialtes)

1. (obsolete) an incubus; a nightmare
   • 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book III, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 112:

     "Those that were asleep it [a spirit] terrified with horrible visions; those that were waking it would strike, pull, or press, lying heavy upon them like an Ephialtes: so that there were perpetuall complaints every morning of their last nights rest through the whole Town."