rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryexorciseDrive out an evil influence
verb

exorcise

EK-sor-size/ˈeksɔːrsaɪz/

To drive out an evil spirit or troubling influence.

The woman exorcises the sinister spirit by raising a cross during the ritual.

A woman performs a prayer ritual beside a seated woman as a sinister, translucent spirit visibly emerges from the seated woman's upper body and recoils from the raised cross.
Etymology
exGreekout of
+orcGreekoath
+iseGreekverb-forming suffix

The oath root points to the older meaning “bind by oath.” In religious use, this became commanding an evil spirit to depart, connecting solemn invocation with the modern sense of driving a spirit out.

In context

RagnarRox38:49
the only way to escape for good is for Adrienne to exorcise the demon that haunts her, IE destroy that motherfucker, by performing an occult ritual
Phantasmagoria is an FMV-Horror Masterpiece (No, really!)

More examples

  • She hopes writing will exorcise the memory's hold on her.
  • The ritual is meant to exorcise a troubling presence.
  • He cannot easily exorcise the fears left by the accident.

Forms

exorcise · exorcises · exorcised · exorcising

Similar words

expel
Expel means drive out generally; exorcise specifically concerns a supposed evil spirit or influence.
purge
Purge removes an unwanted element; exorcise particularly invokes driving out an evil spirit or haunting influence.