exorcism

[ek-sawr-siz-uh m, -ser-]

See more synonyms for exorcism on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or process of exorcising.
the ceremony or the formula used in exorcising: An elaborate exorcism was pronounced over the sick man.

Origin of exorcism

1350–1400; Middle English exorcisme (< Old French) < Medieval Latin < Greek exorkismós administration of an oath. See exorcise, -ism

Related formsex·or·cis·mal

[ek-sawr-siz-muh l, ‐ser] /ˌɛk sɔrˈsɪz məl, ‐sər/, ex·or·ci·so·ry

[ek-sawr-sahy-zuh-ree, ‐ser] /ˈɛk sɔrˈsaɪ zə ri, ‐sər/, ex·or·cis·ti·cal, ex·or·cis·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for exorcism

purification, ceremony, expulsion, ritual, ejection

Examples from the Web for exorcism

Contemporary Examples of exorcism

The music sometimes sounding like the exorcism of a multitude of demons, each one of whom was mightily resisting his expulsion.
The Stacks: John Coltrane’s Mighty Musical Quest
Nat Hentoff
October 18, 2014
Necrobutcher (né Jørn Stubberud,) of the Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem met with Larson for an exorcism.
My $295 Skype Exorcism
Scott Bixby
February 6, 2014
The cost of a one-hour exorcism session: a $295 “suggested donation.”
My $295 Skype Exorcism
Scott Bixby
February 6, 2014
The rite of exorcism is not quite as sensational as movies and legend might have one believe.
Vatican and Pope Francis Seek New Demon Exorcists
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2014
“Exorcists need to be certified to eliminate the practice of exorcism by untrained novices,” Taraborelli says.
Vatican and Pope Francis Seek New Demon Exorcists
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2014

Historical Examples of exorcism

There was no new formula of exorcism, nor any untried enchantment.
Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 1 of 3)
John Morley
The effect of suggestion, exorcism, etc., should be tried and noted.
The Problems of Psychical Research
Hereward Carrington
The exorcism was more effective if the name of the demon could be ascertained.
Three Thousand Years of Mental Healing
George Barton Cutten
I knew I was awake now and free from the spell, for no spell can withstand this exorcism.
Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc
Mark Twain
The Bouda, moreover, agreed to restore her human appearance, and began his exorcism.
Human Animals
Frank Hamel

Word Origin and History for exorcism

early 15c., "a calling up or driving out of evil spirits," from Late Latin exorcismus, from Greek exorkismos, from exorkizein "exorcize, bind by oath," from ex "out of" (see ex-) + horkizein "cause to swear," from horkos "oath." Earlier in the same sense was exorcization (late 14c.).