la|mi|a

la|mi|a «LAY mee uh», noun, plural -mi|as, -mi|ae «-mee ee».

1. Greek and Roman Mythology. a fabulous monster having the head and breasts of a woman and the body of a serpent, said to lure away children, especially the newborn, to suck their blood.

2. a witch; female demon.

╂[< Latin lamia sorceress, a blood-sucking witch < Greek lámia flesh-eating monster]