Forms: 4 exorcisacioun, -zacion, exorsisacion, -cyon, -tion, 6 exorcysacyon, 6– exorcisation. [f. next + -ATION.] The action of exorcizing; i.e., a. of driving out evil spirits by adjuration, etc.; † b. of calling up spirits by magic.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 750. Throu exorcizaciones, To ger spiritis to thame apeir.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 173. Old witches, sorceresses, That usen exorsisations.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), I. ii. 13. And do that solempnyte of exorcysacyon.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 467/2. The booke of exorcisation … which is sprinkled in the church.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., xviii. 66. The Priest’s Exorcization in the Names of God and his holy Attributes does not excuse him from the guilt of Enchantment, since the Magicians themselves use the Names of the true God therein.
1684. I. Mather, Remark. Provid. (1856), 183. To cure diseases, and drive away evil spirits by words and spells, exorcizations, &c.
1749–51. Bp. Lavington, Enthus. Method. & Papists, III. (1754), II. 115. His better Friends … have inserted a Prayer in the Office of Exorcization.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. xxv. 252. My promised exorcisation of the demon in his stomach.
