daemon
gb/dˈimən/ us/dˈimən/
C1
English
démon, daimón
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
1
démon
C1
Usage pattern:
a [service/system] daemon; a daemon runs/starts/stops/restarts
The backup daemon runs every night and copies new files to the server.
A biztonsági mentési démon minden éjjel lefut, és az új fájlokat a szerverre másolja.
After the update, we had to restart the network daemon.
A frissítés után újra kellett indítanunk a hálózati démont.
A web server usually runs as a daemon in the background.
Learner examples
The daemon starts when the computer starts.
A démon a számítógép indításakor elindul.
A daemon can run without opening a window.
A démon úgy is futhat, hogy nem nyílik meg hozzá ablak.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this technical spelling with the more common word “demon,” meaning an evil spirit.
Meaning
background computer service
Collocations
background daemon
|system daemon
|Unix daemon
|server daemon
|SSH daemon
|web daemon
|run a daemon
|start a daemon
|stop a daemon
|restart a daemon
Synonyms
background process (More general; any process running without direct user interaction.)
|
service (Common in many operating systems; emphasizes the function provided.)
Antonyms
foreground process (A process that is actively interacting with the user.)
|
interactive program (A program controlled directly by a user while it runs.)
Themes
computing
|software
|systems
|technology
Definition
A program that runs quietly in the background on a computer, often doing system work.
A computer program or process that runs in the background, usually to handle system tasks or provide a service without direct user control.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
2
daimón
C2
Usage pattern:
a daemon of [something]; someone's daemon
In the philosopher’s story, each person is accompanied by a guiding daemon.
A filozófus történetében minden embert egy útmutató daimón kísér.
The novel describes the forest as full of strange daemons and old gods.
A regény úgy írja le az erdőt, mint amely tele van különös daimónokkal és ősi istenekkel.
For the ancient Greeks, a daemon was not necessarily evil.
Learner examples
A daemon can be a spirit in a myth.
A daimón egy mítoszban szellemlény lehet.
The story has a daemon that guides the hero.
A történetben van egy daimón, aki vezeti a hőst.
Common mistake:
“Daemon” is not always evil. “Demon” usually suggests an evil spirit; “daemon” can mean a neutral or guiding spirit in mythology or literature.
Meaning
spirit or supernatural being
Collocations
ancient daemon
|guiding daemon
|personal daemon
|protective daemon
|daemon of inspiration
|daemon of desire
|mythic daemon
|supernatural daemon
Synonyms
spirit (Broader and more common; does not imply the Greek or literary background.)
|
demon (Usually suggests an evil spirit; often a different spelling and meaning.)
|
genius (In an older literary sense, a guardian or inspiring spirit.)
Antonyms
human (Contrasts a supernatural being with an ordinary person.)
|
mortal (Contrasts an immortal or supernatural spirit with a being that dies.)
Themes
mythology
|religion
|fantasy
|literature
Definition
A spirit in old stories or religion, sometimes good, bad, or guiding.
A spirit or supernatural being; especially in ancient Greek belief, a being between gods and humans, often seen as a guiding or influencing spirit.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
daimón
C2
Usage pattern:
someone's daemon; the daemon of [creativity/desire/ambition]
She wrote as if some private daemon would not let her rest.
Úgy írt, mintha valami személyes daimón nem hagyná nyugodni.
The painter described ambition as the daemon that kept him working through the night.
A festő a becsvágyat annak a daimónnak nevezte, amely egész éjjel munkára sarkallta.
His creative daemon pushed him toward stranger and bolder ideas.
Learner examples
His daemon made him keep writing.
A daimónja miatt nem tudta abbahagyni az írást.
She felt a creative daemon inside her.
Úgy érezte, van benne egy alkotó daimón.
Common mistake:
This is a literary use; in everyday English, people usually say “inner drive,” “impulse,” or “inspiration.”
Meaning
inner guiding force
Collocations
creative daemon
|inner daemon
|private daemon
|restless daemon
|daemon of ambition
|daemon of desire
|daemon of inspiration
Synonyms
inner drive (Much more common and neutral.)
|
impulse (Emphasizes a sudden urge rather than a continuing guiding force.)
|
muse (Emphasizes artistic inspiration, often personified.)
Antonyms
apathy (A lack of inner drive or motivation.)
|
inhibition (A restraining force rather than a driving force.)
Themes
psychology
|creativity
|literature
Definition
A strong inner feeling or force that seems to guide what someone does.
An inner force, impulse, or source of inspiration that seems to guide or drive a person.
Grammar
Dictionary form
daemon
IPA
GB/dˈimən/
US/dˈimən/
Syllables & stress
dae - mon (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dae)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: daemon
- Plural: daemons
Expressions
daemon thread
1/dˈimən θɹˈɛd/
fixed phrase
technical
background program thread
A background part of a program that stops automatically when the main program ends.
Examples
- The logging task runs in a daemon thread so it will not keep the application alive.
- In Python, a daemon thread stops when the main program exits.
- They moved the cleanup job to a daemon thread.
Learner examples
- The daemon thread runs in the background.
- The program can end while the daemon thread is still running.
mailer daemon
1/mˈeɪlɚ dˈimən/
fixed phrase
technical
automatic email failure sender
An automatic email sender that tells you when your message did not reach someone.
Examples
- I got a message from the mailer daemon saying the address did not exist.
- The mailer daemon returned the email because the recipient’s mailbox was full.
- If you mistype an address, you may receive a bounce message from a mailer daemon.
Learner examples
- The mailer daemon said my email failed.
- I received a mailer daemon message.