dev·il
(dĕv́əl)
[Middle English devel, from Old English dēofol, from Latin diabolus, from Late Greek diabolos, from Greek, slanderer, from diaballein, to slander, dia-, dia-, + ballein, to hurl.]
noun
- In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.
- A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.
- A wicked or malevolent person.
- A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil.
- An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.
- Printing A printer's devil.
- A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.
- An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper.
- A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class.
- Informal Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are?
transitive verb: -iled or -illed, -il·ing or -il·ling, -ils or -ils
- To season (food) heavily.
- To annoy, torment, or harass.
- To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.
idioms
- between the devil and the deep blue sea
- Between two equally unacceptable choices.
- full of the devil
- Very energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever.
- give the devil his due
- To give credit to a disagreeable or malevolent person.
- go to the devil
- To be unsuccessful; fail. To become depraved. Used in the imperative to express anger or impatience.
- play the devil with
- To upset or ruin.
- the devil take the hindmost
- Let each person follow self-interest, leaving others to fare as they may.
- the devil to pay
- Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house.
