CultureJuly 18, 2026

succubus

/ˈsʌkjəbəs/

Definition

A malevolent or predatory female figure who overwhelms and consumes a person, used here to describe a girlfriend whose possessiveness has become monstrous.

Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin 'succubus,' meaning 'prostitute' or 'strumpet,' which comes from the verb 'succubare'—to lie under. In medieval folklore, it referred specifically to a demon in female form that seduced men.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the terrifying, hyper-aggressive transformation of the protagonist's girlfriend after she becomes possessed, highlighting her shift from a normal partner into a predatory force.

Friday Film Review | 'Obsession'

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KPCW

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