diablerie

American  

[dee-ah-bluh-ree, dya-bluh-ree] / diˈɑ blə ri, dya bləˈri /

noun

plural

diableries

1. diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft.

2. the domain or realm of devils.

3. the lore of devils; demonology.

4. reckless mischief; deviltry.

---

diablerie British  

/ djɑbləri, dɪˈɑːblərɪ /

noun

1. magic or witchcraft connected with devils

2. demonic lore or esoteric knowledge of devils

3. the domain of devils

4. devilry; mischief

---

Etymology

Origin of diablerie

First recorded in 1650–60; from French: literally, “mischief,” from Old French diablerie, deablerie “an act inspired by the devil, sorcery,” equivalent to diable “devil” + -erie noun suffix; see devil, -ery

Example Sentences

The Maestro gets his laughs out of diablerie and the grotesque.

From Time Magazine Archive

Belated days of sunshine quickened all Hungary last week, speeding the Danube with tumbling freshets, warming Budapest to humorous appreciation of the first spring diablerie of Sari Fedak.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bassan dies, not according to prophetic schedule, but largely because of Fedora's diablerie, ahead of time.

From Time Magazine Archive

Louis was charmed by this exquisite exhibition of drollery and diablerie, and three weeks later she was brought to dance at Versailles.

From Terribly Intimate Portraits by Loraine, Lorn

Short as the poem is, there is in it character, humour, pathos, satire, indignation, tenderness, fun, frolic, diablerie, almost every human feeling.

From Robert Burns Famous Scots Series by Setoun, Gabriel