devil
devil the supreme spirit of evil; malignant being OE.; printer's apprentice XVII; (highly seasoned) fried or boiled dish XVIII. OE. dēofol = OS. diubul, -al (Du. duivel), OHG. tiufal (G. teufel), ON. djǫfull, Goth. diab(a)ulus. The Goth. forms were directly — Gr. diábolos prop. accuser, slanderer, f. diabállein slander, traduce, f. diá across + bállein throw. The other Gmc. forms were — ChrL. diabolus (whence also (O)F. diable, etc.).
Hence devil vb. †play the devil XVI; grill, broil (with hot condiments) XVIII; act as devil to a lawyer or writer XIX. devilish XV; see -ISH 1. devilry XIV; after (O)F. diablerie.
Hence devil vb. †play the devil XVI; grill, broil (with hot condiments) XVIII; act as devil to a lawyer or writer XIX. devilish XV; see -ISH 1. devilry XIV; after (O)F. diablerie.
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