Where does “demon” come from?

demon (Middle English) comes from Medieval Latin demon, from Ancient Greek δαίμων, from Ancient Greek δαίω, from Proto-Indo-European deh₂y-, from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- — to share, divide.

demon (Middle English): demon, devil, malicious spirit; daimon, helpful...

Definitions

  1. demon, devil, malicious spirit; daimon, helpful...

Ancestry of “demon”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Medieval Latindemonaccusative singular of dēmos; spirit
2Ancient Greekδαίμωνgod, goddess; departed soul; demon, evil spirit
3Ancient Greekδαίωto light up, to kindle, to set on fire; to burn...
4Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂y-to share, divide
5Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂-to share, divide

Words derived from “demon”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- →