Definition of energumen in English:
energumen
nounˌɛnəˈɡjuːmənˌɛnərˈɡjumən
archaic A person believed to be possessed by the devil or a spirit.
Example sentencesExamples
- The sprightly energumen lives and breathes his words on the stage for 53 minutes.
- Apparently an energumen, she had exhibited symptoms of diabolical possession for a dozen years: she could not pray, take communion or even pronounce the name of Christ.
- The energumens, who were exorcized daily, were prevented by the daily exorcisms and sweeping duties from pursuing their usual callings.
Origin
Early 18th century (also denoting an enthusiast or fanatic): via late Latin from Greek energoumenos, passive participle of energein 'work in or upon'.
Rhymes
crewman, crewmen, human, ichneumon, Newman, numen, Schumann, subhuman, Trueman
Definition of energumen in US English:
energumen
nounˌenərˈɡyo͞omənˌɛnərˈɡjumən
archaic A person believed to be possessed by the devil or a spirit.
Example sentencesExamples
- The sprightly energumen lives and breathes his words on the stage for 53 minutes.
- The energumens, who were exorcized daily, were prevented by the daily exorcisms and sweeping duties from pursuing their usual callings.
- Apparently an energumen, she had exhibited symptoms of diabolical possession for a dozen years: she could not pray, take communion or even pronounce the name of Christ.
Origin
Early 18th century (also denoting an enthusiast or fanatic): via late Latin from Greek energoumenos, passive participle of energein ‘work in or upon’.