devil

The definition of a devil is someone or something evil, hurtful or wicked.

(noun)

  1. An example of a devil is Satan from the Christian Bible.
  2. An example of a devil is a tornado that causes death and wreckage.

To devil is to add hot seasonings to chopped food.

(verb)

An example of devil is to add spices to chopped eggs, called "deviled eggs."

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See devil in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. Theol.
    1. the chief evil spirit, a supernatural being subordinate to, and the foe of, God, and the tempter of human beings; Satan: typically depicted as a man with horns, a tail, and cloven feet: with the
    2. any evil spirit; demon
  2. a very wicked or malevolent person
  3. a person who is mischievous, energetic, reckless, etc.
  4. an unlucky, unhappy person: that poor devil
  5. anything that is difficult or is hard to operate, control, understand, etc.
  6. printer's devil
  7. any of various machines for tearing things, as paper or rags, to bits

Origin: ME devel < OE deofol < LL(Ec) diabolus < Gr diabolos, slanderous (in LXX, Satan; in N.T., devil) < diaballein, to slander, lit., throw across < dia-, across + ballein, to throw: see ball

transitive verb deviled or devilled, deviling or devilling

  1. Origin: from the notion of heat

    to prepare (food, often chopped food) with hot seasoning: deviled ham
  2. to tear up (rags, etc.) with a special machine
  3. ☆ to annoy; torment; tease

See devil in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.
  2. A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.
  3. A wicked or malevolent person.
  4. A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil.
  5. An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.
  6. Printing A printer's devil.
  7. A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.
  8. An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper.
  9. A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class.
  10. Informal Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are?
transitive verb dev·iled or dev·illed, dev·il·ing or dev·il·ling, dev·ils
  1. To season (food) heavily.
  2. To annoy, torment, or harass.
  3. To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English devel

Origin: , from Old English dēofol

Origin: , from Latin diabolus

Origin: , from Late Greek diabolos

Origin: , from Greek, slanderer

Origin: , from diaballein, to slander

Origin: : dia-, dia-

Origin: + ballein, to hurl; see gwelə- in Indo-European roots

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See devil in Ologies

Devil

See also demons; evil; god and gods; hell; religion; sin; theology.

adiabolist

a person who denies the existence of the devil.

diabolism

1. belief in or worship of the devil.

2. Theology. an action aided or prompted by the devil; sorcery; witchcraft. —diabolist, n.

diabology, diabolology

1. the study of the devil.

2. devil lore.

Izedism

the beliefs of the Izedis, a Mesopotamian sect said to worship the devil. Also Yezdism, Yezidism. —Izedi, Yezdi, Yezidi, n.

monodiabolism

belief in the existence of only one devil. Cf. polydiabolism.

Pan-Satanism

a Gnostic doctrine that the material world expresses the personality of Satan.

polydiabolism

the belief that many devils exist. Cf. monodiabolism.

Satanism

1. the worship of Satan or evil powers.

2. a parody of Christian ceremonies in which the devil is worshiped. —Satanist, n.

Satanophany

the appearance of Satan on earth.

Yezdism, Yezidism

Izedism.

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