exorcise
verb (used with object)
to seek to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration or religious or solemn ceremonies.
were exorcising
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past progressiveof exorcise.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
They were not arresting a man, they were exorcising fear.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
The questions and answers were taken down, by order of the judges, by reporters, who, while the priests were exorcising, committed the results to writing, published afterwards by one of them, Michaelis, in 1613.
From The Superstitions of Witchcraft by Howard Williams
She gave no other evidence of heeding him than turning back the palm of her hand toward him, and leaning her head in the opposite direction, as if she were exorcising an evil spirit.
From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by William A. (Alexander) Caruthers
Their twirling feet seemed to be writing mystic characters in the soil, and all the while they brandished their arms and howled forth metrical curses as if they were exorcising some evil spirit.
From 'Midst the Wild Carpathians by M?r J?kai
I tell her she would have made a magnificent lady prioress, whereat she thumbs her beads and whispers a Latin distich, as if she were exorcising a demon.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 102, April, 1866 by Various
