Exorcism (/ˈɛksɔːsɪzəm/) is a word derived from the Greek "exorkizein" meaning "to bind by an oath". The spelling of the word is based on the Latin "exorcismus" which means "to drive out" or "to ward off evil spirits". The IPA phonetic transcription is essential in understanding the pronunciation of this word, with the stress on the second syllable. In modern times, exorcism is a religious practice whereby a person belonging to a certain faith is believed to expel an evil spirit from a possessed individual.
Exorcism refers to a religious or spiritual practice aimed at driving out demonic or evil entities or forces from a person, object, or location. It is typically conducted by a trained individual, often called an exorcist or priest, who possesses specific knowledge and rituals associated with exorcisms.
The primary belief behind exorcism is that a person or place is affected by evil spirits or demons, causing negative or harmful effects on their physical or psychological well-being. The process involves using prayers, religious symbols and artifacts, holy water, and incantations to invoke divine intervention and remove the unwanted supernatural entities.
Exorcisms are deeply rooted in various cultures and religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Paganism, each having its specific rituals and methods. These rituals often include intense spiritual engagement, including prayer and fasting, as well as methods like reciting holy scriptures, physically restraining the possessed individual, and invoking the name of a higher power.
Historically, exorcism has been associated with cases of possession, where individuals are believed to be taken over by malevolent beings. However, the concept of exorcism can also extend beyond individuals and involve purifying haunted houses, objects believed to be cursed, or even entire communities.
While exorcism is often viewed as a spiritual or religious practice, it is important to note that the belief in demonic possession and its treatment through exorcism may differ among different cultures and belief systems. Some view it as a literal manifestation of supernatural evil, whereas others interpret it metaphorically or consider it as a psychological or neurological condition.
The act of exorcising.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "exorcism" originates from the Latin word "exorcismus", which in turn has its roots in the Greek word "exorkizein". The Greek term is a combination of "ex", meaning "out", and "orkizein", meaning "to bind by an oath" or "to conjure". The Latin word "exorcismus" was formed from the Greek term and means "to adjure" or "to bind by an oath". From there, the word was adopted into various languages, including English, with the same or a similar meaning of expelling or driving out evil spirits or demons through religious or spiritual rituals.