striga
- noun
- Archaic
:
striga
- Legends tell of a striga who would steal into homes and cause mysterious illnesses.
Examples
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The villagers feared the striga that was said to haunt the forest at night.
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Some believed that only a special charm could protect them from the striga.
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The striga is terrifying.
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Don't fear the striga!
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The villagers feared the striga that was said to haunt the forest at night.
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Legends tell of a striga who would steal into homes and cause mysterious illnesses.
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Some believed that only a special charm could protect them from the striga.
Synonyms
790
4.1
A woman believed to have magical powers in stories
102
9.9
A female night spirit in old stories who attacks babies and is said to be Adam's first wife
11
9.9
A dangerous spirit from North American stories that eats people
2
9.9
An evil spirit in Algonquian stories that makes people want to eat others
1
8.4
A female spirit that harms people in myths or stories
1
7.4
A fairy who wants to harm people or cause trouble
1
9.9
A giant monster in Norse stories that fights gods or people
Surface Forms
Etymology
Striga comes from old European names for a 'witch' or evil night spirit, like Italian strega. In folk stories a striga sneaks in at night to harm people or animals, which is why the word means a dangerous, night-time witch.