Empusa

See also: empusa

Translingual

Empusa pennata

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Ἔμπουσα (Émpousa, “a species of monster of Greek mythology”).

Proper noun

Empusa

1. A taxonomic genus within the family Empusidae – certain praying mantises.

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Ἔμπουσα (Émpousa, “species of monster of Greek mythology”).

Proper noun

Empusa

1. (Greek mythology) A monster sent by (and sometimes the progeny of) the goddess Hecate; when imagined as the first or only empusa, or as a species of monster.
   • 1999, Douglas M. Jesseph, Squaring the Circle, University of Chicago Press, page 311:

     Hobbes compares this hybrid school divinity to Empusa, a female specter in ancient Greek mythology who was supposed to have been sent by the goddess Hecate […] .

   • 2014, Barbara Cox, Scott Forbes, Haunted Homes, Gareth Stevens Publishing, page 20:

     The Empusa was a female vampire from Greek mythology that feasted on the blood of men.

Noun

Empusa (plural Empusas or Empusae or Empusa)

1. Alternative letter-case form of empusa.
   • 2015, Rachel Alexander, Myths, Symbols and Legends of Solar System Bodies, Springer, page 104:

     The Empusa are commanded by Hecate, one of the Greek Moon goddesses.