hag-ridden

hag-ridden
hag-ridden (n.) 1680s, "afflicted by nightmares," from HAG (Cf. hag) (n.) + RIDDEN (Cf. ridden). An old term for sleep paralysis, the sensation of being held immobile in bed, often by a heavy weight, and accompanied by a sense of alien presence. A holed stone hung over the bed was said to prevent it. Hag-ride as a verb is attested from 1660s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • hag-ridden — hag rid den, hagridden hag rid den(h[a^]g r[i^]d d n), a. Ridden by a hag or witch; hence, afflicted with nightmares; tormented or harassed by nightmares or unreasonable fears. Beattie. Cheyne. Syn: tormented. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hag-ridden — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ afflicted by nightmares or anxieties …   English terms dictionary

  • Hag-ridden —    This is when a Hag rides a sleeping person like a horse. The person wakes up unrested and exhausted. A person can even be Hag ridden to death.    See Hag and Black Annis …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • hag-ridden — /ˈhæg rɪdn/ (say hag ridn) adjective worried or tormented, as by a witch …  

  • hag-ridden — adjective afflicted by nightmares or anxieties …   English new terms dictionary

  • hag-ridden — adjective literary always worried by problems in your life …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • hag-ridden — adjective tormented or harassed by nightmares or unreasonable fears hagridden...by visions of an imminent heaven or hell upon earth C.S.Lewis • Syn: ↑hagridden, ↑tormented • Similar to: ↑troubled …   Useful english dictionary

  • hag-riding —    This term refers to a frightening sensation of being held immobile in bed, often by a heavy weight pressing on one s stomach or chest. It is now recognized medically under the name sleep paralysis ; it can be accompanied by the sense of an… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • -ridden — a combining form meaning obsessed with, overwhelmed by (torment ridden) or full of, burdened with (debt ridden). [special use of RIDDEN] * * * ridden combining form Oppressed by the dominance or prevalence of a specified thing (eg hag ridden or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Hag —    An ugly old woman who is in league with the dead or the Devil. She is often a witch or sorceress. On rare occasions, a Hag may be young and beautiful.    See Hag ridden and Black Annis …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

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