incubo

nightmare

noun EEN-koo-boh Rare

Origin: Medieval Latin incubus (demon said to lie on sleepers), from incubare (to lie upon), from in- + cubare (to lie down).

Usage Note

Incubo is masculine (un incubo), used both literally (a bad dream) and figuratively (a nightmarish situation). Fare un incubo means to have a nightmare. The feminine succubo is the female counterpart demon in demonology, but in everyday Italian incubo covers both senses. The plural is gli incubi.

Examples

"Ho fatto un incubo terribile stanotte."

Natural Translation

I had a terrible nightmare last night.

Literal Translation

I-have made a nightmare terrible last-night.

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