noun

exorcism

EK-sor-siz-um/ˈeksɔːrsɪzəm/

The act of driving out an evil spirit or harmful influence.

The novel depicts an exorcism intended to expel an evil spirit.

A Catholic priest holds a crucifix toward a seated woman during an exorcism; a translucent, menacing spirit visibly separates from her and recoils away from the crucifix.

Etymology

exGreekout of

+orcGreekoath

+ismGreekaction or process

The oath root explains why the Greek noun originally meant “administration of an oath.” Its religious sense shifted to a solemn invocation used to drive out an evil spirit.

In context

Esoteric Atlanta10:25

if they go in to do any exorcism what do they do they take the cross with them yeah and the evil cannot handle that cross

Mars in Jupiter, Pine Needles to the Rescue, and the Movie is About to Roll the Credits!

More examples

The historian studied exorcisms.
The ritual was described as an exorcism.
She analyzed the story's symbolic exorcism.

Forms

exorcism · exorcisms

exorcise verb — drive out an evil spirit or harmful influence

Similar words

expulsion: Removal generally rather than a spirit-removing ritual.
cleansing: May have a spiritual sense without a specific exorcism rite.