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devil

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛv(ə)l/

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Definition of devil

noun

  • 1 (usually the Devil) (in Christian and Jewish belief) the supreme spirit of evil; Satan: belief in the Devil the work of the devil
  • an evil spirit; a demon: casting out devils
  • a very wicked or cruel person:they prefer voting for devils than for decent men
  • (the devil) fighting spirit; wildness:he was dangerous when the devil was in him
  • (the devil) a thing that is very difficult or awkward to do or deal with:it’s going to be the very devil to disentangle
  • 2 [with adjective] informal a person with specified characteristics:the cunning old devil you lucky devil
  • 3 (the devil) expressing surprise or annoyance in various questions or exclamations:‘Where the devil is he?’
  • 4an instrument or machine fitted with sharp teeth or spikes, used for tearing or other destructive work.
  • 5 informal, dated a junior assistant of a barrister or other professional. See also printer's devil.

verb (devils, devilling, devilled; US devils, deviling, deviled)

  • 1 [no object] informal, dated act as a junior assistant for a barrister or other professional: there is the possibility of devilling for fellow members of the Bar
  • 2 [with object] North American harass or worry (someone):he was deviled by a new-found fear

Phrases

be a devil!

British informal said when encouraging someone to do something that they are hesitating to do:‘Go on, be a devil and stop being so staid!’

between the devil and the deep blue sea

in a difficult situation where there are two equally unpleasant choices.

devil a ——

archaic not even one or any:the devil a man of you stirred himself over it

the devil can quote scripture for his purpose

proverb people may conceal unworthy motives by reciting words that sound morally authoritative.
[with allusion to the Temptation]

the devil finds work for idle hands to do

proverb if someone doesn’t have enough work to occupy them, they are liable to cause or get into trouble.

the devil looks after his own

proverb success or good fortune often seem to come to those who least deserve it.

a devil of a ——

informal used to emphasize great size or degree:photographic equipment costs a devil of a lot

the devil's dozen

thirteen.

the devil's in the detail

the details of a matter are its most problematic aspect.

the devil's own ——

informal used to emphasize the difficulty or seriousness of something:it was the devil’s own job to get her to give me money

the devil to pay

serious trouble to be dealt with: there was the devil to pay when we got home

every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost

see man.

give the devil his due

proverb if someone or something generally considered bad or undeserving has any redeeming features these should be acknowledged.

go to the devil!

said in angry rejection or condemnation of someone: it’s anybody’s right to go to the devil in his or her own way!

like the devil

with great speed or energy:he drove like the devil

play the devil with

have a damaging or disruptive effect on:this brandy plays the devil with one’s emotions!

speak (or talk) of the devil

said when a person appears just after being mentioned.
[from the superstition that the devil will appear if his name is spoken]

Origin:

Old English dēofol (related to Dutch duivel and German Teufel), via late Latin from Greek diabolos 'accuser, slanderer' (used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew śāṭān 'Satan'), from diaballein 'to slander', from dia 'across' + ballein 'to throw'

devil in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of devil in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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