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.

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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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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.

Example Sentences

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

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

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

I am very fond of fighting in novels; and of diablerie even "more than reason"; and of the Middle Ages; and of many other things connected with the work.

From A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 To the Close of the 19th Century by Saintsbury, George

The irreverent persiflage of the Vision belongs to the now obsolete school of Voltaire, and in biting wit and daring ridicule the performance is not unworthy of that supreme master in diablerie.

From Studies in Literature and History by Miller, John O.