Main Entry: ex·or·cise

Variant(s): also ex·or·cize \ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz, -sər-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·or·cised also ex·or·cized; ex·or·cis·ing also ex·or·ciz·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French exorciscer, from Late Latin exorcizare, from Greek exorkizein, from ex- + horkizein to bind by oath, adjure, from horkos oath

Date: 1539

1 a : to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration b : to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
2 : to free of an evil spirit

— ex·or·cis·er noun