See Also: exorcize(dictionary)
exorcize(dictionary)

widdershins (iou) and exorcize (iou)


widdershins (iou)



widdershins adverb & adjective. , (as adjective) widdershin. E16.
[Middle Low German weddersin(ne)s from Middle High German widersinnes, from wider- counter- (cf. WITHER adjective & adverb) + genit. of sin direction, way. In sense A.2 assoc. (through Scot. pronunc.) with SUN noun1.]
A. adverb.
In a direction opposite to the usual one; the wrong way round. Freq. in stand widdershins, start widdershins, (of hair) stand on end. E16.
In a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun (considered unlucky or associated with occult rites); anticlockwise. M16.
b. adjective. Moving etc. in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; unlucky, relating to the occult. M18.

exorcize (iou)



exorcize verb trans. Also exorcise. LME.
[Old & mod. French exorciser or ecclesiastical Latin exorcizare from Greek exorkizein: see EXORCISM, -IZE.]
Conjure up (an evil spirit); solemnly call upon (an evil spirit) to do. Now rare. LME.
Drive away or expel (an evil spirit) by invocation or the use of some holy name. (Foll. by from, out of.) M16.
fig.: L. P. Hartley Wealth had not exorcised her fear of money.
Free or clear (a person or place) of evil spirits, malignant influences, etc. M17.
Lytton Muttering hymns, monks huddled together..as if to exorcize the land of a demon.
exorci'zation noun LME.
exorcizement noun the action of exorcizing; exorcizing influence: L18.
exorcizer noun E16.