Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Diabolism

Di-ab′o-lism

,
Noun.
1.
Character, action, or principles appropriate to the devil.
2.
Possession by the devil.
Bp. Warburton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Diabolism

DIABOLISM

,
Noun.
1.
The actions of the devil.
2.
Possession by the devil.

Definition 2024


diabolism

diabolism

English

Noun

diabolism (plural diabolisms)

  1. (uncountable) Worship of the devil; Satanism
  2. (countable) Character, action, utterances, creative works, behavior or principles appropriate to the devil.
    • The atrocities constituting this "cold collation" of diabolisms are taken mainly from various Californian journals.
      "The Fiend's Delight" By Dod Grile
    • What are the teachings we would then derive from communities like that of Guam, simply similar to those found by many travellers with plain groups of men not yet contaminated with the diabolisms of human law
      The Railroad Trainman, Volume 17
    • These diabolisms some of the religious negroes had been provoked to retort upon their tempters, in a manner said to be disrespectful ; and for this insolence they have been repeatedly flogged and confined in the stocks
      An Authentic Copy of the Minutes of Evidence on the Trial of John Smith
  3. (uncountable) Possession by Satan or other demonic forces.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Bishop Warburton to this entry?)
    • (incidents of supposed demonic possession) as mental imbalance rather than evidence of the devil's work, and the Mexican tribunal ceased serious 87 investigation of diabolism.
      "Religion and Society in Latin America"
  4. (uncountable) The property of having attributes that are demonic or Satanic.