exorcise

• exorcize

From Middle English exorcisen, exorzisen, from Medieval Latin exorcizō, from Ancient Greek ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, “to banish an evil spirit; bind by oath”), from ἐξ (ex) + ὅρκος (hórkos). Compare Old French exorciser.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɛk.sɔː.saɪz/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɛk.sɔɹˌsaɪz/, /ˈɛk.sɚˌsaɪz/
  • Homophone: exercise (one pronunciation)

exorcise (third-person singular simple present exorcises, present participle exorcising, simple past and past participle exorcised)

1. (transitive) To drive out (an evil spirit) from a person, place or thing, especially by an incantation or prayer.
2. (transitive) To rid (a person, place or thing) of an evil spirit.

Unlike most verbs using the -ise/-ize suffix, exorcise is more commonly spelled with -s- even in American English.

• IPA^(key): /ɛɡ.zɔʁ.siz/

exorcise

1. inflection of exorciser:
   1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
   2. second-person singular imperative