devil devil

English

Alternative forms

• devil-devil

Etymology

Reduplicated form of devil.

Noun

devil devil (plural devil devils)

1. (Australia) An evil spirit in traditional Aboriginal belief. [from 19th c.]
   • 2006, Alexis Wright, Carpentaria, Giramondo, published 2012, page 282:

     She said they had to hide from the bad people because they might be devil-devils in disguise.