often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.
A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.
A wicked or malevolent person.
A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil.
An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.
Printing A printer's devil.
A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.
An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper.
A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class.
Informal Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are?
tr.v.
dev·iled or dev·illed, dev·il·ing or dev·il·ling, dev·ils
To season (food) heavily.
To annoy, torment, or harass.
To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.
[Middle English devel, from Old English dēofol, from Latin diabolus, from Late Greek diabolos, from Greek, slanderer, from diaballein, to slander : dia-, dia- + ballein, to hurl; see gwelə- in Indo-European roots.]
(děv'əl) 