US /dɪˈmoʊniˌæk/ UK /dɪˈməʊniæk/
adj noun Freq #121075

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    of, resembling, or apparently possessed by a demon; frenzied and terrifying

    A demoniac fury transformed his normally calm expression.

  2. 2
    noun

    a person believed to be possessed or controlled by a demon

    In the old account, the villagers brought the demoniac to a priest for help.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · of, resembling, or... demonicfiendishfrenzied
2 noun · a person believed to be... possessed person
More possessed
Opposites
Word family
Forms demoniacally
Derived forms demoniacism

Etymology

From Middle English demoniak and Old French demoniaque, ultimately from Late Latin daemoniacus ("possessed by a demon"), based on Latin daemon and Greek daimon. The adjective's literal religious sense broadened into a figurative description of wild, frenzied, or terrifying behavior.

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