n.
- often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.
- A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.
- A wicked or malevolent person.
- A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil.
- An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.
- Printing. A printer's devil.
- A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.
- An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper.
- A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class.
- Informal. Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are?
- To season (food) heavily.
- To annoy, torment, or harass.
- To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.
between the devil and the deep blue sea
- Between two equally unacceptable choices.
- Very energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever.
- To give credit to a disagreeable or malevolent person.
- To be unsuccessful; fail.
- To become depraved.
- Used in the imperative to express anger or impatience.
- To upset or ruin.
- Let each person follow self-interest, leaving others to fare as they may.
- Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house.
[Middle English devel, from Old English dēofol, from Latin diabolus, from Late Greek diabolos, from Greek, slanderer, from diaballein, to slander : dia-, dia- + ballein, to hurl.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
