Exorcism
/ˈɛk.sɔːrˌsɪ.zəm/noun
A ritual intended to drive out evil spirits or other unwanted supernatural forces.
Did you know?The Greek ancestor of exorcism, exorkizein, originally meant to adjure or bind someone by a solemn oath—so the word began as a force of sworn command, not just ghost-busting.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
exorkízein
“to adjure, bind by oath, solemnly charge”
Late Greek
Greek
exorkismós
“an adjuration or solemn oath-charging”
Late Latin
Latin
exorcismus
“an adjuration, especially against evil spirits”
Old French
Old French
exorcisme
“a rite of adjuration or expulsion of demons”
14th Century
English
exorcisme
“a ritual for driving out evil spirits”
Modern English
English
exorcism
“a ritual intended to drive out evil spirits or other unwanted supernatural forces”