exorcize

English

Alternative forms

• exorcise

Verb

exorcize (third-person singular simple present exorcizes, present participle exorcizing, simple past and past participle exorcized) (transitive)

1. To drive out supposed evil spirits from a person, place or thing, especially by an incantation or prayer
2. To rid a person, place or thing of an evil spirit

Derived terms

• exorcism
• exorcist

Translations

Usage notes

Unlike most verbs using the -ise/-ize suffix, exorcise is more commonly spelled with -s- even in American English.