exorcist

exorcist
    n 1: one of the minor orders in the unreformed Western Church
         but now suppressed in the Roman Catholic Church
    2: someone who practices exorcism [syn: {exorcist}, {exorciser}]
    

Exorcist \Ex"or*cist\ (-s[i^]st), n. [L. exorcista, Gr.
   'exorkisth`s: cf. F. exorciste.]
   1. One who expels evil spirits by conjuration or exorcism.
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            Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists. --Acts xix.
                                                  13.
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   2. A conjurer who can raise spirits. [R.]
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            Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up
            My mortified spirit.                  --Shak.
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Exorcist
(Acts 19:13). "In that sceptical and therefore superstitious age
professional exorcist abounded. Many of these professional
exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria and
Elymas in Cyprus (8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as
practised by the Jews are found in Matt. 12:27; Mark 9:38; Luke
9:49, 50. It would seem that it was an opinion among the Jews
that miracles might be wrought by invoking the divine name. Thus
also these "vagabond Jews" pretended that they could expel
daemons.

  The power of casting out devils was conferred by Christ on his
apostles (Matt. 10:8), and on the seventy (Luke 10:17-19), and
was exercised by believers after his ascension (Mark 16:17; Acts
16:18); but this power was never spoken of as exorcism.
    

30 Moby Thesaurus words for "exorcist":
      acolyte, acolytus, deacon, diaconus, doorkeeper, exorciser,
      exorcista, holy orders, lector, major orders, medicine man,
      minor orders, mundunugu, obeah doctor, ostiarius, presbyter,
      priest, reader, shaman, shamanist, subdeacon, subdiaconus,
      unspeller, voodoo, voodooist, wangateur, witch doctor,
      witch master, witch-finder, witchman