exorcism
/ˈɛksɔːsɪz(ə)m
/noun [mass noun]
The expulsion or attempted expulsion of a supposed evil spirit from a person or place: the rite of exorcism [count noun]: figurative an exorcism of the authoritarian past...
- In actual fact, I think it was more an attempt at personal exorcism.
- Similarly, there are other rituals outside their sphere of activity, such as the propitiation or exorcism of dangerous spirits.
- One was an attempt at exorcism, the other a rather more practical if overly melodramatic way of making the pain go away.
Synonyms
driving out, casting out, expulsion
rare insufflation
catharsis, cleansing, purification, purgation, release, deliverance
rare lustration
Derivatives
exorcist
/ noun ...- He is one of the leading exorcists, and he is more informed about these things than we.
- The retired priest is one of a team of 12 exorcists in the diocese called out to deal with haunted buildings and occult disturbances.
- This is the second year that the Vatican has offered a course for aspiring demonologists and exorcists.
Origin
Late Middle English: via ecclesiastical Latin from ecclesiastical Greek exorkismos, from exorkizein 'exorcize'.