exorcism
Americannoun
-
the act or process of exorcising.
-
the ceremony or the formula used in exorcising.
An elaborate exorcism was pronounced over the sick man.
Other Word Forms
- exorcismal adjective
- exorcisory adjective
- exorcistic adjective
- exorcistical adjective
Etymology
Origin of exorcism
1350–1400; Middle English exorcisme (< Old French ) < Medieval Latin < Greek exorkismós administration of an oath. See exorcise, -ism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Everything just poured out when writing, like an exorcism – I don't know what follows an exorcism but it's got to be better than what was there before."
From BBC
But critics have lavished praise on the record, calling it a "jaw-dropping" and "brutal" act of "personal exorcism", while praising Allen's gift for melody, on songs that span flamenco, bossa nova, and "infectious pop".
From BBC
In the “Exorcist” maze, for instance, that means witnessing a full exorcism, complete with special effects that will have walls give way to demonic specters.
From Los Angeles Times
If his words literally refer to exorcism’s particularities, they subtextually wrestle with faith as a notion, and trickle into broader political life, too.
From Salon
“I think all this exorcism business is a hoax. Buddy says the movie is scary and I don’t like to be scared.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
