Definition: A demon or monster, thought to plague people while they slept and cause a feeling of suffocation and terror during sleep.

Alright class, settle down now, let’s take a look at this word today – “Nightmare.” The dictionary gives us a good start, don't you think? It says it’s like a "demon or monster," something that seems to follow you while you dream. It whispers of terror, and fills your sleep with a feeling of being trapped, like you can’t quite breathe – a sense of “suffocation,” as they put it. (Pauses for a beat) But let's dig a little deeper than just the definition. A nightmare isn't just about a scary monster, is it? It’s more about how you feel . It’s a feeling of intense fear and distress that washes over you while you’re asleep. Think of it like this: imagine you're building a beautiful castle in your mind – then suddenly, a dark shadow falls across it, full of danger and dread. That unsettling, frightening feeling that is the essence of a nightmare. It can be based on real fears, or just strange, confusing images. Sometimes they’re vivid and clear, sometimes blurry and fleeting. Does that help make sense of "nightmare"? Do you have any questions about what it means to experience one?