evil genius en · NOUN
Meanings
-
The spirit each person is believed to have in attendance, according to certain religious or mythological traditions, which tries to negatively influence him, and is opposed by his good genius; loosely, someone who is a bad influence.
He could in nowise comprehend it; but, taking it with other previous circumstances, he could not get quit of a conviction that he was haunted by some evil genius in the shape of his brother […].
1824, James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, Oxford, published 2010, page 37:It was as if I unconsciously realized that in her I had met my evil genius.
1957, Lawrence Durrell, Justine:
- An intellectually brilliant person who excells at using his or her mental abilities for negative or harmful ends; especially a criminal mastermind.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| evil geniuses | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| evil genii | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (4)
fr génie du mal (intellectually brilliant person who excells at using their mental abilities for negative ends) · it genio del male (intellectually brilliant person who excells at using their mental abilities for negative ends) · fi paha nero (intellectually brilliant person who excells at using their mental abilities for negative ends) · fi ilkeä nero (intellectually brilliant person who excells at using their mental abilities for negative ends)