demonism

American  

[dee-muh-niz-uhm] / ˈdi məˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. belief in demons.

2. the study of demons; demonology.

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demonism British  

/ ˈdiːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. 1. belief in the existence and power of demons

   2. worship of demons

2. another word for demonology

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Other Word Forms

• demonist noun

Etymology

Origin of demonism

First recorded in 1690–1700; demon- + -ism

Example Sentences

I'd still like to see more of Richard's demonism to balance the sardonic humour.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2012

In Jonathan Church's breathtaking revival, it gets a performance of memorable comic demonism from Henry Goodman.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2012

But, as directed by Ian Talbot, it is all preposterous fun and John Gordon Sinclair, despite his lack of visibility, excellently suggests the tormented demonism of the hero.

From The Guardian • Nov. 24, 2010

Now that vampirism, by the evocation of the dead, is joined to demonism, the victim is worse than possessed.

From Là-bas by Wallace, Keene

"And you think my poor Tochatti may be a victim to this old form of demonism?"

From Afterwards by Rhodes, Kathlyn