deviling

dev·il

 (dĕv′əl)

n.

1. often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. Used with the.

2. A subordinate evil spirit; a demon.

3. A wicked or malevolent person.

4. A person: a handsome devil; the poor devil.

5. An energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever person.

6. Printing A printer's devil.

7. A device or machine, especially one having teeth or spikes and used for tearing.

8. An outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad: has a devil of a temper.

9. A severe reprimand or expression of anger: gave me the devil for cutting class.

10. Informal Used as an intensive: Who the devil do you think you are?

tr.v. dev·iled, dev·il·ing, dev·ils or dev·illed or dev·il·ling

1. To season (food) heavily.

2. To annoy, torment, or harass.

3. To tear up (cloth or rags) in a toothed machine.

Idioms:

between the devil and the deep blue sea

Between two equally unacceptable choices.

full of the devil

Very energetic, mischievous, daring, or clever.

give the devil his due

To give credit to a disagreeable or malevolent person.

go to the devil

1. To be unsuccessful; fail.

2. To become depraved.

3. Used in the imperative to express anger or impatience.

play the devil with

To upset or ruin.

the devil take the hindmost

Let each person follow self-interest, leaving others to fare as they may.

the devil to pay

Trouble to be faced as a result of an action: There'll be the devil to pay if you allow the piglets inside the house.

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[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 g^welə- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.