exorcism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The ritual act of driving out evil spirits from persons, places or things that are possessed by them.

   Master Hume, we are therefore prouided: / will her Ladyship behold and heare our Exorcismes?

2. 2
   noun

   freeing from evil spirits

Etymology

From Old French exorciser, from Late Latin exorcizō, from Ancient Greek ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, “to ward off, to charge under oath, adjure”), from ἐξ (ex) + ὅρκος (hórkos).