Devils

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛvl̩z/

Definitions

  1. The term refers to malevolent supernatural beings often associated with evil | It can describe a playful or mischievous person in a lighthearted context | In literature and folklore, it signifies characters or entities that embody temptation or wrongdoing
  2. The term denotes malevolent entities often linked to evil intentions | It can also refer to the mischievous nature of individuals in a lighthearted manner | Additionally, it signifies figures in stories that embody temptation and moral corruption
  3. The word signifies wicked supernatural beings traditionally seen as evil | It may describe someone playfully troublesome or naughty in a jovial sense | Furthermore, it refers to characters in tales that represent moral temptation or wrongdoing

Etymology: The concept behind this word traces back to the ancient Greek "diabolos," meaning "slanderer" or "accuser." This term was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, to render the Hebrew "satan," which referred to an adversary or accuser. Early Christian texts adopted this term to signify a malevolent supernatural being opposing God, thus shaping the figure now recognized as the devil. Moving into Latin, "diabolus" maintained this meaning and was absorbed into Old English as "deofol," appearing in religious manuscripts by the early Middle Ages. The Old English form referred to an evil spirit or the personification of evil itself. Over time, the word evolved phonetically into Middle English as "devil," reflecting shifts in pronunciation and spelling conventions. The plural form, as used here, simply denotes more than one such malevolent entity, though the singular often dominates religious and cultural references. The term carries with it centuries of theological, literary, and cultural significance, often depicted as the embodiment of evil, temptation, and moral opposition. Phonologically, the modern pronunciation retains the strong "d" onset and the "vl" consonant cluster, with the vowel sounds settling into their contemporary English forms. The word’s endurance and adaptation across languages highlight the deep-rooted human engagement with the concepts of good, evil, and spiritual conflict.

Synonyms: demons, fiends, evil spirits, devil, satan

Antonyms: angels, saints, heroes, good, virtuous