1. Plural of daimon; in ancient Greek philosophy and religion, divine or supernatural beings intermediate between gods and humans, often representing fate, destiny, or a guiding spirit.
Usage: classical; historical; often capitalized in academic contexts
2. In Platonic philosophy, the immortal soul or divine essence within a person that guides moral and intellectual development.
Usage: philosophical; archaic

Examples

• The ancient Greeks believed that daimones inhabited the space between the mortal and divine realms.
• Socrates claimed to be guided by a daimon, one of the daimones that whispered warnings to him.
• In Platonic thought, the daimones represented the higher spiritual nature of humanity.
• The daimones were neither wholly good nor evil, but rather neutral forces of destiny.
• Scholars debate whether the daimones in Homer's works were demons or protective spirits.