devilry in English
- devilry⇄devilry, noun, pl.-ries.
(Especially British.) deviltry.
devilry in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
devilry in Sindhi سنڌي
devilry in Telugu తెలుగు
Devilry
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛv.əl.ri/ (British & American English)
Definitions
- Wicked or mischievous behavior, often playful or roguish.
- Supernatural or demonic activity associated with the devil.
- Trickery, deception, or cunning behavior.
Usage Examples
- The children’s devilry caused chaos in the classroom.
- Legends speak of devilry haunting the abandoned castle.
- His devilry in negotiations earned him a notorious reputation.
Etymology
Derived from "devil" + "-ry" (suffix denoting a state or quality), originating in Middle English. It was used to describe acts attributed to the devil, later evolving to include mischief and trickery.
Synonyms
- Mischief
- Roguery
- Deception
- Wickedness
- Villainy
Antonyms
- Virtue
- Goodness
- Honesty
- Morality
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Travesura | /tɾa.βeˈsu.ɾa/ |
| French | Diablerie | /djɑ.blʁi/ |
| German | Teufelei | /ˈtɔɪ.fl̩.aɪ/ |
| Italian | Diavoleria | /dja.vo.leˈri.a/ |
| Portuguese | Diabrura | /dʒi.aˈbru.ɾa/ |
| Chinese | 邪恶行为 | /xié è xíng wéi/ |
| Russian | Дьявольщина | /ˈdʲja.və.lʲɕːɪ.nə/ |
| Arabic | مكائد شيطانية | /makā’id šayṭānīyah/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
British English typically pronounces it as /ˈdɛv.əl.ri/, while some American English speakers may reduce the second syllable.
Historical Usage
Historically, "devilry" was used to describe acts thought to be influenced by the devil. Over time, it has come to include playful mischief as well as serious wrongdoing.
Cultural Nuances
The term can be used both negatively, to describe deceitful behavior, and humorously, to refer to mischievous acts in children or playful individuals.
More Information
In literature and folklore, "devilry" is often used to describe magical trickery or supernatural influence, especially in gothic or fantasy settings.