demonic

Demonic is an adjective describing phenomena, beings, or forces associated with demons or demon-like entities. The term can refer to beliefs about actual supernatural beings in various religious traditions, as well as to anything perceived as malevolent, evil, or frightening. Etymology: from late Latin daemon, from Greek daimon, originally meaning a divine or semi-divine being, sometimes neutral or guiding; in Christian usage the word came to denote an evil spirit opposing God; the English form "demon" emerged in Middle English, and "demonic" developed to describe related qualities.

In religious contexts, demons are described in several traditions as autonomous beings with will, sometimes malevolent. Demonic possession is the claim that a demon inhabits a person, influencing behavior or speech, and exorcism is the ritual intended to expel them. Demonology is the study or systematic classification of demons. Beliefs vary widely between Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and other traditions, with some traditions portraying demons as mischievous or morally ambiguous, and others as entirely evil agents.

Cultural representations frequently use demonic imagery to evoke fear, danger, or moral conflict. The term appears in literature, art, film, and games, particularly in horror genres, to symbolize destructive power or temptation. In modern usage, demonic can also be employed metaphorically to describe intense energy, hostility, or ruthlessness.

In science, there is no empirical support for possession by demons. Psychological and medical explanations have been proposed for experiences historically attributed to demonic activity, such as seizures, psychosis, or dissociative states. Scholars study demonology as a historical and cultural phenomenon, examining how beliefs about demons reflect wider social, religious, and ethical concerns.