Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

devilry

[dev-uh l-ree]
See more synonyms for devilry on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural dev·il·ries.
  1. deviltry.
Show More

Origin of devilry

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at devil, -ry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for devilry

Historical Examples

  • It was the Carnival week again—the mad blaspheming week of revelry and devilry.

    Dreamers of the Ghetto

    I. Zangwill

  • I kept my eye on her after that, for I knew there was some devilry in the wind.

  • But this seemed to say that the devilry was over all the earth.

  • They are desperate, then, and seem to exult in devilry of all kinds.

  • There was no waiting, no coaxing; it was drive and devilry all through.

    Bob, Son of Battle

    Alfred Ollivant

British Dictionary definitions for devilry

devilry

deviltry

noun plural -ries or -tries
  1. reckless or malicious fun or mischief
  2. wickedness or cruelty
  3. black magic or other forms of diabolism
Show More

Word Origin

C18: from French diablerie, from diable devil
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

Word Origin and History for devilry

n.

late 14c., from devil + -ry; deviltry (1788) is a corrupt formation from it.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper