exorcise

verb

Etymology: From Middle English exorcisen, exorzisen, from Medieval Latin exorcizō, from Ancient Greek ἐξορκίζω (exorkízō, “to banish an evil spirit; bind by oath”), from ἐξ (ex) + ὅρκος (hórkos). Compare Old French exorciser.

1. To drive out (an evil spirit) from a person, place or thing, especially by an incantation or prayer.

   “The priest attempted to exorcise the evil spirit from the house.”

   “The ritual was performed to exorcise the demons from the village.”

2. To rid (a person, place or thing) of an evil spirit.

   “They hired a specialist to exorcise the haunted object.”