EXORCISE

exorcise, exorcize

(verb) expel through adjuration or prayers; “exorcise evil spirits”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

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

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

Source: Wiktionary


Ex"or*cise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exorcised ; p. pr. & vb. n. Exorcising .] Etym: [L. exorcizare, Gr. exorciser.]

1. To cast out, as a devil, evil spirits, etc., by conjuration or summoning by a holy name, or by certain ceremonies; to expel (a demon) or to conjure (a demon) to depart out of a person possessed by one. He impudently excorciseth devils in the church. Prynne.

2. To deliver or purify from the influence of an evil spirit or demon. Exorcise the beds and cross the walls. Dryden. Mr. Spectator . . . do all you can to exorcise crowds who are . . . processed as I am. Spectator.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

23 November 2024

THEORETICAL

(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”


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Coffee Trivia

The world’s most expensive coffee costs more than US$700 per kilogram. Asian palm civet – a cat-like creature in Indonesia, eats fruits, including select coffee cherries. It excretes partially digested seeds that produce a smooth, less acidic brew of coffee called kopi luwak.

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