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Demon vs Fiend - What's the difference?

demon | fiend |

As nouns the difference between demon and fiend

is that demon is an evil spirit while fiend is an enemy, unfriend, or foe.

demon

English

(wikipedia demon)

Alternative forms

* daemon, (typically only used today for the sense of 'a Greek or Roman godling' ) * daimon (''typically only used in the sense of 'inner spirit' or 'personal guardian')

Noun

(en noun)
  • An evil spirit.
  • A fallen angel or Satanic divinity; a false god.
  • One’s inner spirit or genius, a daimon.
  • (Greek mythology, Roman mythology) A genius, a lar, the protective spirit or godling of a place, household, or individual.
  • A foible; a flaw in a person’s character.
  • The demon of stupidity haunts me whenever I open my mouth.
  • Someone of remarkable or diabolical energy or ability.
  • He’s a demon at the card tables.
  • (figurative) Anything with malevolent effects.
  • the demon drink

    Usage notes

    The original Greek and Roman meanings often employ synonyms or the variant spellings daimon' or ' daemon to differentiate them from the more common ecclesiastical sense.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    See also

    * imp * succubus * vampire * angel * hell * possession * possessed * dragon * werewolf * devil * larva ----

    fiend

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An enemy, unfriend, or foe.
  • (religious, archaic) The enemy of mankind, specifically, the Devil; Satan.
  • * 1971 , , Religion and the Decline of Magic , Folio Society 2012, p. 35:
  • At the confirmation ceremony the bishop would lay his hands on the child and tie around its forehead a linen band […]. This was believed to strengthen him against the assaults of the fiend […].
  • A devil or demon; a malignant or diabolical being; an evil spirit.
  • * 1845 , E.A. Poe, "The Raven"
  • "Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend! "
  • A very evil person
  • (informal) An addict or fanatic
  • a jazz fiend

    Derived terms

    * fienddom/fiendom * fiendful * fiendhood * fiendish * fiendkin * fiendlike * fiendling * fiendly * fiendness * fiendship * dope fiend

    Synonyms

    * monster

    Anagrams

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