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nightmare definition

night·mare (nīt′mer′)

noun

  1. Folklore, Historical an evil spirit believed to haunt and suffocate sleeping people
  2. a frightening dream, often accompanied by a sensation of oppression and helplessness
  3. any experience like a nightmare in its frightening or oppressing aspects

Etymology: ME nihtmare: see night & mare

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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