unˈdevil, v.
[un-2 4 b and 6.]
1. trans. To free from demoniacal possession.
| 1632 Quarles Div. Fancies i. xi, Whenas our blessed Saviour did un-devill The Man possest, the Spirits..Entred the Swine. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. x. iv. §55 The Boy..would not be undeviled by their Exorcisms. 1890 Talmage From Manger to Throne 81 Mouth of cavern, where mad⁓man was undevilled. |
2. To deprive of the qualities of a devil.
| 1726 De Foe Hist. Devil ii. iii. (1840) 199 If we should take away his invisibility too, we should undevil him quite. |
Hence unˈdevilling vbl. n.
| 1653 A. Wilson Jas. I, 108 Some Romish Priests..tampering with their Exorcisms, to the undevilling of the boy. |