exorcize
/'eksɔ:saiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- expel through adjuration or prayers
- exorcise evil spirits