A fiend is a noun which in general means an evil spirit; or even a demon. It is even applied to mean the Devil; or Satan. This is further extended to refer to a wicked person or someone who is diabolically evil.
The term has also several meanings when used informally, such as referring to a person addicted to something: generally used as in 'a dope fiend'. Casually used it could mean someone wholly engrossed in or utterly obsessed with a job or pastime. Also, it could be used to refer to someone especially adept at something. In this sense of the term a synonym would be a fanatic. In the demonic sense of the term, synonyms for the same would include ogre, devil, demon or monster.
It is believed to have come from the Middle English, from the Old English term fIend; this is akin to Old High German word fIant meaning enemy; the Sanskrit term pIyati meaning he reviles, blames.
The term has also several meanings when used informally, such as referring to a person addicted to something: generally used as in 'a dope fiend'. Casually used it could mean someone wholly engrossed in or utterly obsessed with a job or pastime. Also, it could be used to refer to someone especially adept at something. In this sense of the term a synonym would be a fanatic. In the demonic sense of the term, synonyms for the same would include ogre, devil, demon or monster.
It is believed to have come from the Middle English, from the Old English term fIend; this is akin to Old High German word fIant meaning enemy; the Sanskrit term pIyati meaning he reviles, blames.
