Ghoul

A ghoul is a monster from ancient Arabian folklore. Ghouls live in burial grounds and other uninhabited places. The English word comes from the Arabic name for the creature: الغول ghūl, which literally means "demon".^[1] The ghul is a devilish type of jinn believed to be sired by Iblis.^[2]

The female form is given as "ghouleh" in Muhawi and Kanaana (see ref below). The plural is "ghilan".

Ghoul is also a shapeshifting demon that lives in the desert. The demon can take the form of an animal, especially a hyena. It lures unwary travellers into the desert. It will then kill and eat them. The creature also preys on young children, robs graves, and eats the dead.^[3] Because of this habit the word ghoul is sometimes used to refer to an ordinary human such as a grave robber, or to anyone who likes the macabre.

The star Algol takes its name from this creature.^[4]

1. ↑ ""ghoul"". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2006.
2. ↑ ""ghoul"". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 22, 2006.
3. ↑ "ghoul", Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
4. ↑ Jim Kaler (Prof. Emeritus of Astronomy, University of Illinois). "Algol". STARS. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2006.