Definition

1. Verb:
   • To expel or drive out (an evil spirit) from a person or place through adjuration, prayers, or rituals: This is the primary meaning, referring to the formal act of forcing a malevolent spiritual entity to depart.
   • To free (a person or place) from a malign influence: This extends the meaning to the result of the ritual, emphasizing the liberation from perceived evil or obsession.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The priest was called to exorcize the haunted house.
  • In the film, a specialist attempts to exorcize the demon possessing the child.
  • She felt a need to exorcize the painful memories from her mind. (Figurative usage)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: The word is often used metaphorically to mean "to rid oneself of something troublesome or negative," such as a memory, fear, or habit.
  • He wrote a novel to exorcize the ghosts of his past.
• "To exorcize a demon": This is a common collocation referring to the literal act.
  • The ancient text described how to exorcize a demon.

Variants and Related Words

• Exorcise: This is the standard British English spelling variant. The meanings and usage are identical to "exorcize."
  • The ceremony was held to exorcise the spirit.
• Exorcism (n): The noun form referring to the ritual or act of exorcizing.
  • They performed an exorcism.
• Exorcist (n): A person who performs exorcisms.
  • The exorcist began to pray.

Synonyms

• Cast out: To force something to leave, often used in similar spiritual contexts.
• Drive out: To compel to depart.
• Purge: To rid of an unwanted feeling, memory, or condition, often used in figurative contexts.

Related Phrases

• To exorcize a ghost: To drive away a ghost.
  • The medium claimed she could exorcize a ghost.
• To exorcize a place: To cleanse a location of evil spirits.
  • The ritual was intended to exorcize the cemetery.

Related Idioms

• To exorcize one's demons: A common idiom meaning to confront and overcome one's persistent fears, anxieties, or traumatic experiences.
  • Through therapy, he hoped to exorcize his demons.

Verb

1. expel through adjuration or prayers
   • exorcise evil spirits