DEVIL
—none. 1 (usually. The devil) (in christian and jewish belief) supreme spirit of evil; satan. 2 a evil spirit; demon. B personified evil. 3 a wicked person. B mischievously clever person. 4 colloq. Person of a specified kind (lucky devil). 5 fighting spirit, mischievousness (devil is in him tonight). 6 colloq. Awkward thing. 7 (the devil or the devil) colloq. Used as an exclamation of surprise or annoyance (who the devil are you?). 8 literary hack. 9 junior legal counsel. —verb. (-ll-; us -l-) 1 cook (food) with hot seasoning. 2 act as devil for an author or barrister. 3 us harass, worry. ? between the devil and the deep blue sea in a dilemma. A devil of colloq. Considerable, difficult, or remarkable. Devil`s own colloq. Very difficult or unusual (the devil`s own job). The devil to pay trouble to be expected. Speak (or talk) of the devil said when person appears just after being mentioned. [greek diabolos accuser, slanderer]