exorcist
Americannoun
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a person who practices exorcism.
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Roman Catholic Church.
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a member of the second-ranking of the four minor orders.
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the order itself.
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Etymology
Origin of exorcist
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin exorcista < Greek exorkistḗs. See exorcism, -ist
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.
Rossetti, a licensed psychologist and unusually prolific exorcist, has “led hundreds of exorcism and deliverance sessions,” according to the website of his exorcism-focused nonprofit organization.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
This ritual lasted an entire night and involved burning small figures made of wax and clay while an exorcist recited specific incantations.
From Science Daily • May 5, 2026
"A bit like ghostbusting, that sort of thing, and a bit of an exorcist as well. Although, we don’t very often do the exorcism, certainly not of people."
From BBC • Oct. 31, 2024
“The Exorcism” starts from an instantly compelling premise: On the set of a horror movie about an exorcist, demons lurk.
From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2024
I had expected us to root out the exorcist within the shuls and tenements of Maxwell Street, but Frankie surprised me by hailing a carriage that took us to Chicago’s outskirts.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
