Empusas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of supernatural being from Greek mythology, often depicted as a vampiric figure that seduces and consumes men
2. In ancient legend, these entities are described as shapeshifters that can take on various forms to ensnare their victims
3. Known for their role as female demons, these figures are associated with desires and perils, typically threatening male characters in mythic tales

Etymology: Empusas is simply the plural of empusa, so the story belongs to the singular. In ancient Greek, Empousa (Ἔμπουσα) was a shapeshifting spirit who appeared to travelers at night, taking the form of a beautiful woman to lure men, or a monstrous creature with a donkey's leg, bronze foot, or fiery face. Greek writers described her as a companion of Hecate, goddess of witchcraft and crossroads, and she was used as a figure to frighten children into behaving. The name is usually explained as formed from "en-" (in) and a root related to "pousa," an old Greek word for a kind of one-footed or misshapen figure, pointing to her deformed leg. This connection is uncertain, so the name's exact meaning remains a matter of scholarly guesswork. Her reputation as a vampiric seducer of men comes from later retellings, especially those in which she preys on young men who are then drained of life.