exorcism

[ ek-sawr-siz-uhm, -ser- ]

noun

1. the act or process of exorcising.
2. the ceremony or the formula used in exorcising:

   An elaborate exorcism was pronounced over the sick man.

Other Words From

• ex·or·cis·mal [ek-sawr-, siz, -m, uh, l, ‑ser], ex·or·ci·so·ry [ek, -sawr-, sahy, -z, uh, -ree, ‑ser], exor·cisti·cal exor·cistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exorcism¹

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

Example Sentences

If you’re getting down to the chiming exorcism of Concrete Blonde’s “Joey,” you won’t even need to mess with the equalizer.

From Popular-Science

So it’s probably more effective to go through this kind of ritual, which sounds like an exorcism, rather than going into a hospital to be treated by a doctor.

From Nautilus

That was the best sporting event I’ve ever experienced because you didn’t just observe it, you traveled with it for four days in two cities over four games as the thing built into a national exorcism.

From Washington Post

There, the pastor, who was also a psychologist, performed exorcisms to combat his homosexuality and charged his mother for these services.

From Washington Blade

Father Vicenzo Taraborelli in Rome is an exorcist with set office hours and dedicated phone lines to take exorcism appointments.

From The Daily Beast

The music sometimes sounding like the exorcism of a multitude of demons, each one of whom was mightily resisting his expulsion.

From The Daily Beast

It was identified as an ancient exorcism technique that indicated she had been suspected of supernatural powers.

From The Daily Beast

Necrobutcher (né Jørn Stubberud,) of the Norwegian black metal band, Mayhem met with Larson for an exorcism.

From The Daily Beast

The cost of a one-hour exorcism session: a $295 “suggested donation.”

From The Daily Beast

Are the miseries of continued possession less horrible than the struggles of the tremendous exorcism?

From Project Gutenberg

Hence men have turned ever toward prayers, exorcism, and expiation, especially when exhorted thereto by the priests.

From Project Gutenberg

He fumbled for his pitch-pipe, and arose with a confused intention of attempting a musical exorcism.

From Project Gutenberg

In her case, the man beside her was her husband, to whose exorcism of her love from his life her heart had never assented.

From Project Gutenberg

Exorcism, shackles, and the whip were the penalties rather than the curatives for mental maladies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• purification