bedevil etymology

Etymology

  • Middle English: bedevilen < Old French: deveer, deveir < Old Occitan: devear < Late Latin: debere "to owe"

Meaning and Origin

The verb "bedevil" originally meant "to make (someone) owe" or "to put (someone) in debt." This sense arose in the late Middle Ages, perhaps as a reference to the feeling of being burdened or harassed by something.

Over time, the word's meaning evolved to "to annoy or torment," and it is now most commonly used in this sense. The figurative use of "bedevil" to mean "to cause trouble or annoyance" likely originated from the idea of being burdened by a debt or obligation.

Example Sentences

  • The constant rain has been bedeviling us all week.
  • The traffic bedevils commuters during rush hour.
  • The child's behavior bedevils his teachers and parents.

bedevil relate terms

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  • bedevil

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  • bylaw

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  • bygones

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  • bystander

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  • torment

    Etymology Old French tormenter Latin tormentum Greek tormén instrument of to

  • crucify

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  • Harry

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  • demand

    Etymology The word demand comes from the Old French word demander meaning to ask f

  • gravel

    Etymology Middle English gravele gravil 13th century Old French gravele gravel 1

  • confuse

    Etymology refers to the origin and development of words It traces the historical changes

  • peso

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  • pose

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  • hamstring

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