1. In Greek and Roman mythology, a female demon or monster that preys on human beings, especially children.
Usage: mythological; often capitalized when referring to a specific figure
2. A woman who is predatory, seductive, or dangerous; a femme fatale.
Usage: literary; figurative

Examples

• In ancient mythology, Lamia was said to devour the children of mortals.
• The poet Keats wrote a famous narrative poem titled 'Lamia' about a supernatural woman.
• She was portrayed in the novel as a lamia, luring men to their doom with her charm.
• The character embodied the archetype of the lamia—beautiful but dangerous.
• Classical texts describe the lamia as a creature of the night that hunted humans.