Asmodeus

/æzˈmoʊdiəs/ noun

Definition

A demon or evil spirit in Jewish and Christian theology, often associated with lust, wrath, or destruction.

Etymology

From Hebrew 'Ashmedai' or Aramaic 'Ashmeday,' names of a demon in Jewish folklore and the Talmud. The name entered European languages through theological texts and Dante's Inferno, gaining a specific literary identity.

Kelly Says

Asmodeus is one of the few demons with staying power—he appears in everything from the Talmud to Paradise Lost to Harry Potter—because his name sounds so sinister and unforgettable that writers keep bringing him back for over 2,000 years.

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