devel

Middle English

/ˈdeːvəl/

noun
Definitions
  • Satan, Lucifer in Early ME, without the definite article
  • A devil; an evil creature that resides in hell in Christianity
  • A pagan or heretical god; a deity considered to be false or an idol.
  • (figurative) A malicious or sinful person; one who is evil.
  • (rare) A fantastic beast or monstrous creature.

Etymology

Inherited from Old English dēofol (demon) derived from Ancient Greek διάβολος (slanderer, accuser, devil, Devil).

Origin

Ancient Greek

διάβολος

Gloss

slanderer, accuser, devil, Devil

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms