diablerie

American  

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

noun

diableries plural

1. diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft.

2. the domain or realm of devils.

3. the lore of devils; demonology.

4. reckless mischief; deviltry.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• diableries
  plural

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

Explanation

Diablerie is a word that has to do with both mischief and the macabre. It describes anything from devilish behavior to black magic and dealings with the devil. The word is borrowed from the Middle French word diablerie, which is rooted in diable, "the devil." In English, it has two main shades of meaning: It can refer to sorcery, witchcraft, dark magic, or representations and descriptions of demons in art and literature. In 19th-century literature, it was a popular way to describe eerie or supernatural occurrences that defied explanation. But it also refers, in a more lighthearted way, to mischievous or "devilish" behavior.