exorcise
UK: ˈɛk.sɔː.saɪz | US: ˈɛk.sɔr.saɪz
vt. to drive out or attempt to drive out (an evil spirit) from a person or place
vt. to free someone from an evil influence or possession
exorcise = ex<out> + orc<spirit, oath> + ise<verb suffix>
- ex<out>: From Latin ex-, meaning "out of, away from."
- orc<spirit, oath>: From Late Latin orcizare, derived from Greek orkizein ("to bind by oath" or "to conjure"), from orkos ("oath"). Over time, the meaning shifted to "expelling evil spirits."
- ise<verb suffix>: A verb-forming suffix in English, often indicating an action (e.g., "realise," "organise").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek orkizein, which originally referred to binding someone by oath, often in a religious or supernatural context. Through Late Latin exorcizare, it evolved to mean "to expel evil spirits by invocation." The prefix ex- ("out") emphasizes the act of driving something away, while orc retains its ancient connection to spirits and oaths. The modern sense reflects the ritualistic expulsion of malevolent forces.
The priest was called to exorcise the haunted house.
Ancient texts describe rituals to exorcise demons from the afflicted.
She felt as if music could exorcise her sadness.
The shaman chanted to exorcise the evil spirit from the village.
Modern horror films often dramatize attempts to exorcise supernatural entities.