demoniacismn.
/ˌdiːməˈnʌɪəsɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌdiməˈnaɪəˌsɪz(ə)m/ Now rare.
The state of being a demoniac; the condition of being possessed by a demon; (also) madness, insanity (said to be caused by demonic possession). Cf. demonianism n.
ΚΠ
1739 T. Morgan Moral Philosopher II. viii. 235 The Demoniacism of the New Testament was Madness or Lunacy.
1793 W. M. Trinder Twenty Pract. Serm. xviii. 244 The holy evangelists also distinguished demoniacism from mere disease.
1825 W. Carlisle Ess. Evil Spirits iv. 81 Epilepsy, lunacy, and madness, are diseases which have more particularly obtained the name of demoniacism.
1871 Glasgow Herald 31 May 6/3 Demoniacism is a disease and not a crime.
1927 Two Worlds Monthly July 182 He has succumbed into a state of semi-conscious demoniacism in which he is..conscious of his own mental waywardness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1739