exorcise
See also: exorcisé
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English exorcisen, exorzisen, from Medieval Latin exorcizō, from Ancient Greek ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, “to banish an evil spirit; bind by oath”), from ἐξ (ex) + ὅρκος (hórkos). Compare Old French exorciser.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
exorcise (third-person singular simple present exorcises, present participle exorcising, simple past and past participle exorcised)
- (transitive) To drive out (an evil spirit) from a person, place or thing, especially by an incantation or prayer.
- (transitive) To rid (a person, place or thing) of an evil spirit.
Usage notes edit
Unlike most verbs using the -ise/-ize suffix, exorcise is more commonly spelled with -s- even in American English.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
to drive out an evil spirit
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French edit
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
exorcise
- inflection of exorciser: