Word for 'evil spirit '

[Pentagon]

Can anyone please help? Which word originally mean't 'evil spirit ' but was wrongly thought to name a specific creature?

[Quizmonster]

'Goblin', perhaps, from the Greek 'kabalos' = mischievous spirit. Alternatively, it might be 'jinn/djinn' from Arabic - where we get the word 'genie', as in the bottle, from - which was a spirit that could take various forms. They were usually seen as giants with supernatural powers.

[Quizmonster]

Moments later, it occurs to me that it might also be 'devil', seen in the Christian world as a specific 'baddie', whereas the word actually means any evil spirit.

[Cetti]

I suspect the word 'demon' would also come under the heading of evil spirit. Or 'imp', also an evil spirit.

[Pentagon]

Thankyou for all your suggestions Quizmonster and Cetti.I will follow them up.I really need a good book on word origins.Can you recommend one?

[tartanwiz]

The Concise Oxford Dictionary gives origins of words as well as meanings.

[Quizmonster]

Dear Pentagon, you'll find an excellent online etymological dictionary by clicking http://www.m-w.com/ That will take you to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary website.

Once there, just type your word into the top slot and click on 'Go'. (Try that with 'goblin'.) If you want alternatives, you can use the same opening page...but put the word into the lower thesaurus slot. (Try that with 'goblin', too.)

It is an American dictionary, of course, so individual word-meanings may occasionally not accord with British usage. However, the origin and history of words there is impeccable...better than that provided by the Yourdictionary website. Nevertheless, you could try the latter, too.

(As Tartan says, the Concise Oxford is good, though I'd personally recommend Chambers as the best single-volume portable English dictionary, if you mean to buy one.)

[Pentagon]

Thankyou for all your help and suggestions Quizmonster and Tartanwiz.It is up to me now!

[poadster]

Sprite?