energumen

/ ˌɛnəˈɡjuːmɛn /

noun

1. a person thought to be possessed by an evil spirit
2. a fanatic or zealot

Word History and Origins

Origin of energumen¹

C18: via Late Latin from Greek energoumenos having been worked on, from energein to be in action, from energos effective; see energy

Example Sentences

Isaac closed his eyes and muttered, “By the power that is within me, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I ask, Lord, I ask that this wicked spirit be cast out, that Satan’s work be confounded, that this unfortunate Africk energumen be freed from the shackles of diabolatry as he was of slavery.”

From Literature

Colin is a sort of freelance philosophical energumen, who, upon receiving several cryptic typed messages, makes them the subject of an obsessive study.

From The New Yorker

And Pascale Ogier was a young energumen of the new Paris night life.

From The New Yorker

Energumen, en-er-gū′men, n. one possessed: a demoniac.

From Project Gutenberg

"This, then, is that energumen whom we are so frightened of in the provinces!" exclaimed our friend.

From Project Gutenberg