deceiving spirit; evil spirit that misleads people
An archaic or literary term for a malevolent supernatural being that deceives or bewitches humans. Rare in modern usage; mainly found in old tales or esoteric contexts.
In old tales, deceiving spirits that lead travelers astray often appear.
Composed of 魔 (demon, evil spirit) and 魅 (bewitch, charm). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the compound is rare and likely a literary or esoteric coinage.