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exorcism

ex·or·cism [ ék sawr sìzzəm, éksər sìzzəm ] (plural ex·or·cisms)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. driving out of evil spirits: the use of prayers or religious rituals to drive out evil spirits believed to be possessing a person or place

2. ceremony to drive out evil spirits: a religious ceremony in which somebody attempts to drive out an evil spirit believed to be possessing a person or place

3. thing done to expel evil: a special ritual or spoken formula used with the intention of driving out evil spirits

4. clearing mind of oppressive feelings: the act of ridding the mind of oppressive feelings or memories

[14th century Via ecclesiastical Latin< ecclesiastical Greek exorkismos< exorkizein (see exorcise)]

ex·or·cist noun
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