demoness

A demoness is a female demon or a female supernatural being regarded as demonic or malevolent within various mythologies and religious traditions. The term is an English gendered designation formed from demon with the suffix -ess and is used to distinguish female demonic figures from male demons, though not all traditions distinguish by gender.

Etymology: The word demon originates from Latin daemon from Greek daimon, with the feminine form demoness appearing in English in the medieval and early modern periods to describe female spirits of harmful or supernatural nature. Some scholars prefer non-gendered terms such as demon or demon figure.

Historical and cross-cultural context: Across cultures, female demonic figures take many forms. In Jewish folklore, Lilith is often described as a demoness associated with nocturnal rites and harm to infants. In Greek and Roman lore, lamiae and empusae are female vampiric demons. In medieval Christian demonology, succubi are women who seduce men, sometimes functioning in opposition to male demons. Other traditions feature female possession spirits, shapeshifters, or malignant maternal figures.

Representations and roles: Demonesses are commonly portrayed as embodiments of temptation, sexual danger, or danger to infants and households; some narratives cast them as seducers, tormentors, or moral figures. In modern fantasy and popular culture, demonesses may be antagonists, anti-heroes, or complex characters, sometimes with nuanced motivations beyond pure malice.