Fiend

Fiend is a term with several related senses. As a noun, it most commonly denotes a malevolent supernatural being—a demon or evil spirit—in Christian demonology, folklore, and fantasy literature. In religious and mythological contexts, fiends are typically depicted as wicked entities opposed to good, sometimes subordinate to more powerful beings such as Satan or hell's forces. The sense is historical and broad, extending to various cultures where malignant spirits are described with similar terms.

Etymology: The word comes from Old English feond meaning "enemy" or "foe," cognate with German Feind and Dutch vijand, from Proto-Germanic roots. The core sense remains a person or creature of wicked intent.

In modern usage, fiend functions as a generalized insult for a cruel or wicked person, though it can also appear as playful hyperbole. It is also used as a descriptive epithet for someone intensely devoted to a hobby or pursuit, as in "a video-game fiend" or "a fitness fiend."

In literature and popular culture, fiends appear as antagonists ranging from minor tempters to major monstrous beings. The term is commonly used for dramatic effect, rather than as a precise zoological category, and is often employed alongside "demon" or "devil" to convey malice and otherworldliness.