Collins English-English Dictionary

devil ['dεv^əl]

1. 1. n [theol] [often capital] the chief spirit of evil and enemy of God, often represented as the ruler of hell and often depicted as a human figure with horns, cloven hoofs, and tail

2. 2. n [theol] one of the subordinate evil spirits of traditional Jewish and Christian belief

3. 3. n a person or animal regarded as cruel, wicked, or ill-natured

4. 4. n a person or animal regarded as unfortunate or wretched

   that poor devil was ill for months

5. 5. n a person or animal regarded as clever, daring, mischievous, or energetic

6. 6. n [informal] something difficult or annoying

7. 7. n [Christian Science] the opposite of truth; an error, lie, or false belief in sin, sickness, and death

8. 8. n (in Malaysia) a ghost

9. 9. n a portable furnace or brazier, esp one used in road-making or one used by plumbers - Compare salamander

10. 10. n any of various mechanical devices, usually with teeth, such as a machine for making wooden screws or a rag-tearing machine

11. 11. n See printer's devil

12. 12. n [law] (in England) a junior barrister who does work for another in order to gain experience, usually for a half fee

13. 13. n [meteorol] a small whirlwind in arid areas that raises dust or sand in a column

14. 14. vt. [tr] to prepare (esp meat, poultry, or fish) by coating with a highly flavoured spiced paste or mixture of condiments before cooking

15. 15. vt. [tr] to tear (rags) with a devil

16. 16. vi. [intr] to serve as a printer's devil

17. 17. vi. [intr] [chiefly Brit] to do hackwork, esp for a lawyer or author; perform arduous tasks, often without pay or recognition of one's services

18. 18. vt. [tr] [US] [informal] to harass, vex, torment, etc

19. 19. vt. [Etymology] Old English deofol, from Latin diabolus, from Greek diabolos enemy, accuser, slanderer, from diaballein, literally: to throw across, hence, to slander