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devilment

American  
[dev-uhl-muhnt] / ˈdɛv əl mənt /

noun

  1. devilish action or conduct; deviltry.


devilment British  
/ ˈdɛvəlmənt /

noun

  1. devilish or mischievous conduct

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of devilment

First recorded in 1765–75; devil + -ment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She is all mischief and devilment, huggably wise, possessed of an agile mind and a sweet nature as a mystery writer/amateur detective who is always one amiable step ahead of the police.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2022

Above all others, Kieran Tierney has that devilment, but can he recover from his calf injury in time?

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2021

Unlike a contemporary version of Cassius, who was forever pacing the floor and wondering how much devilment he could put his fellow citizens up to by calling it conscience instead of opportunism.

From Washington Times • Dec. 27, 2016

But then it dawns on me that there's a devilment to these radio slots, they're too short to force a retune, so you're stuck with them, and often end up kind-of loving them.

From The Guardian • Jul. 13, 2010

"My guess is that he and my son Bruno are up to some devilment," Mr Jenkins went on.

From "The Witches" by Roald Dahl