Exorcist: meaning, definitions and examples
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exorcist
[ ˈɛksərsɪst ]
religious practice
An exorcist is a person, often a priest, who is believed to have the authority to drive out evil spirits or demons from individuals or places. The practice of exorcism is rooted in various religious traditions, particularly within Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Exorcists perform rituals that involve prayers, holy water, and other religious artifacts to combat demonic presence. Historically, the role of an exorcist has often been depicted in popular culture, including films and literature, which sometimes sensationalize their powers and encounters with the supernatural.
Synonyms
deliverer, faith leader, spiritual healer
Examples of usage
- The priest acted as the exorcist during the ritual.
- She consulted an exorcist to help her troubled son.
- The film portrays an exorcist battling a powerful demon.
Translations
Translations of the word "exorcist" in other languages:
🇵🇹 exorcista
🇮🇳 भूत-प्रेत निकालने वाला
🇩🇪 Exorzist
🇮🇩 pengusir setan
🇺🇦 екзорцист
🇵🇱 egzorcysta
🇯🇵 エクソシスト
🇫🇷 exorciste
🇪🇸 exorcista
🇹🇷 şeytan çıkaran
🇰🇷 엑소시스트
🇸🇦 مُعَالِج الأرواح
🇨🇿 exorcista
🇸🇰 exorcista
🇨🇳 驱魔师
🇸🇮 eksorcist
🇮🇸 útleggjari
🇰🇿 экзорцист
🇬🇪 ექსორცისტი
🇦🇿 ekzorsist
🇲🇽 exorcista
Etymology
The term "exorcist" originates from the Greek word "exorkistes," which means 'one who binds by oath.' This term comes from the Greek verb "exorkizo," meaning 'to bind by an oath' or 'to exorcise.' The practice of exorcism can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where rituals were performed to appease spirits or deities. In Christianity, the role of the exorcist became more defined with the growth of the Church, especially during the early Middle Ages. The Catholic Church established guidelines for exorcism in the 16th century, emphasizing that only authorized priests could perform such rituals. The concept gained notoriety in the 20th century with the release of the 1973 film "The Exorcist," which brought mainstream attention to the role of exorcists and sparked widespread interest in the subject of demonic possession.