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

She embodies the music’s seductive diablerie.

From New York Times

At the commencement of the spectacle, which lasted three days, and opened with a scene of diablerie, the man who held the r�le of Satan having wished, says an official report of this epoch, to ascend to earth, caught fire in his nether garments, and was severely burnt.

From Project Gutenberg

In this were assembled all the diablerie, usually comprising a dozen principal personages; and from thence issued a terrible storm of howls and shrieks.

From Project Gutenberg

This was not wonderful in an age of spells and diablerie, when the wisest allowed the reality of magic, and the learned and curious could cite a hundred instances of its power.

From Project Gutenberg

—Can any of your readers offer any suggestions as to how the name "Robert," and its various diminutives, became connected with so much diablerie?

From Project Gutenberg