exorcism
[ek-sawr-siz-uh m, -ser-]
- the act or process of exorcising.
- the ceremony or the formula used in exorcising: An elaborate exorcism was pronounced over the sick man.
Show More
Origin of exorcism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for exorcism
Contemporary Examples
The music sometimes sounding like the exorcism of a multitude of demons, each one of whom was mightily resisting his expulsion.
Necrobutcher (né Jørn Stubberud,) of the Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem met with Larson for an exorcism.
The cost of a one-hour exorcism session: a $295 “suggested donation.”
The rite of exorcism is not quite as sensational as movies and legend might have one believe.
“Exorcists need to be certified to eliminate the practice of exorcism by untrained novices,” Taraborelli says.
Historical Examples
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 ResearchHereward Carrington
The exorcism was more effective if the name of the demon could be ascertained.
Three Thousand Years of Mental HealingGeorge 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 ArcMark Twain
The Bouda, moreover, agreed to restore her human appearance, and began his exorcism.
Human AnimalsFrank Hamel
Word Origin and History for exorcism
n.
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.).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper