1. Plural of lamia; in classical mythology, female demons or monsters that prey on humans, often depicted as having a woman's head and torso with a serpent's tail.
Usage: mythology; classical
2. Plural of lamia; in folklore and fantasy literature, supernatural creatures or witches that seduce and harm people.
Usage: folklore; literary

Examples

• In ancient Greek mythology, lamias were feared creatures that haunted the night.
• The poet Keats wrote about lamias in his famous narrative poem.
• Medieval bestiaries often depicted lamias as hybrid beings, part woman and part serpent.
• Fantasy novels frequently feature lamias as antagonists with magical powers.
• Scholars debate whether lamias in classical texts represented real folklore or purely imaginative creations.