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δαίμων Perh. from δαίω B, to divide or distribute destinies.

I.a god, goddess, like θεός, θεά, Hom., Trag., etc.:—in Hom. also deity or divine power (θεός denotes a god in person), Lat. numen; πρὸς δαίμονα against the divine power; σὺν δαίμονι with it, by its favour, Il.:—so, κατὰ δαίμονα, nearly = τύχηι, by chance, Hdt.; ἐν τῶι δ. θεῶν ἐν γούνασι, Soph.
2.one's daemon or genius, one's lot or fortune, στυγερὸς δαίμων Od.; δαίμονος αἶσα κακή id=Od.: absol. good or ill fortune, Trag.; esp. of the evil genius of a family, Aesch.
II.δαίμονες, in Hes., are the souls of men of the golden age, forming the link between gods and men:—later, of any departed souls, Lat. manes, lemures, Luc.
III.in NTest. an evil spirit, a demon, devil.

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