energumen
/ˌɛnəˈɡjuːmən
/noun archaic
A person believed to be possessed by the devil or a spirit.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
- English galingale
- English garden
- English Heritage
- English horn
- Englishified
- Englishify
- Englishing
- Englishise
- Englishism
- Englishize
- English-knowing
- English Latin
- Englishly
- English maidenhair
- English malady
- Englishman
- Englishman's foot
- English melancholy
- English mile
- English Miss
- English muffin
- English mustard
- Englishness
- English Pale
- English pea