diablerie

[ dee-ah-bluh-ree; French dya-bluh-ree ]

noun

, plural di·a·ble·ries [dee-, ah, -bl, uh, -reez, dy, a, -bl, uh, -, ree].

1. diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft.
2. the domain or realm of devils.
3. the lore of devils; demonology.
4. reckless mischief; deviltry.

diablerie

/ djɑbləri; dɪˈɑːblərɪ /

noun

1. magic or witchcraft connected with devils
2. demonic lore or esoteric knowledge of devils
3. the domain of devils
4. devilry; mischief

Word History and Origins

Origin of diablerie¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French: literally, “mischief,” from Old French diablerie, deablerie “an act inspired by the devil, sorcery,” equivalent to diable “devil” + -erie noun suffix; devil, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of diablerie¹

C18: from Old French, from diable devil, from Latin diabolus; see devil

Example Sentences

"You may be an enchantress, mistress, but the spell you cast is not diablerie," he answered in the same tone.

From Project Gutenberg

A spark of the morning's diablerie flashes into the bright eyes again.

From Project Gutenberg

She had a look of diablerie older than the history of woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, as in the case of the element of diablerie, it would be possible to make technical exceptions in favour of Pickwick.

From Project Gutenberg

They possessed, though, a certain vivacity and diablerie that the big, slower-witted Swede girls lacked.

From Project Gutenberg