devil

Definition

  • noun: the most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell
  • noun: the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Jewish and Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell
  • verb: to season highly
  • used to make a statement or question more forceful
  • synonyms: demon, devil's hand

Examples

  • The new regulations have created 'a devil of' a problem [=a very difficult problem] for many small businesses.

  • He had 'a devil of a time' getting another job. [=he found it very difficult to get another job]

  • The shoes look great, but they're 'the devil' to walk in. [=they are very difficult to walk in]

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) the heyday in the blood is tame It's humble and waits upon the judgment And what judgment would step from this to this? What devil was it that thus hath cozened you at blind man's buff? Oh shame, where is thy blush? Rebellious hell, if thou canst mutiny in a matron's bones to flaming youth... (..)
    2015 Hamlet