Also spelled deil and divil
Meanings
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1
noun
An evil supernatural being; in many religions, the chief spirit of evil.
In the story, the devil tempts the hero with great riches.
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2
noun
A mischievous or naughty person, often said affectionately of a child.
Those two kids are little devils in a toy store.
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3
noun
Something that is very difficult or annoying to do or understand.
That last math problem was a real devil.
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4
noun
Used in expressions of surprise, anger, or confusion for emphasis.
What the devil is going on here?
Thesaurus
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwísder. Ancient Greek διά (diá) Ancient Greek δια- (dia-) Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-der. Proto-Hellenic *gʷəlnō Ancient Greek βᾰ́λλω (bắllō) Ancient Greek διαβάλλω (diabállō) Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos)bor. Latin diabolusbor. Proto-West Germanic *diubul Old English dēofol Middle English devel English devil From Middle English devil, devel, deovel, from Old English dēofol, from Proto-West Germanic *diubul, from Latin diabolus, ultimately from Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos, “false accuser, slanderer”), also as "Satan" (in…