What does diablery mean?
Diablery is a rare English noun denoting devilish conduct — either mischievous wickedness or outright dealings with the devil, such as sorcery and witchcraft. It derives from the Latin 'diabolus' (devil), via the French 'diable', making it a sibling of words like 'devil' and 'diabolical'. The word is closely related to 'diablerie', which is the form most dictionaries record and the one readers are more likely to meet today; 'diablery' survives mainly in older texts and self-consciously literary writing. Its tone can range from the sinister — accusations of witchcraft and black magic in medieval contexts — to the almost affectionate, describing impish troublemaking. Because it is uncommon, it lends an archaic, atmospheric flavour to prose, which is precisely why writers occasionally reach for it when they want to evoke a world of folklore, superstition, and shadowy dealings.
Devilish behaviour or character; mischief or wickedness attributed to the devil's influence.
"His pranks crossed from boyish fun into genuine diablery."
Often used with a slightly playful or literary tone.
Sorcery or witchcraft; dealings with the devil.
"The accused woman denied all charges of diablery brought against her."
Chiefly historical or literary, reflecting periods when witchcraft was taken seriously.
Rarely used in the plural, but a regular plural exists for multiple acts or instances of devilish conduct.
"The chronicle records the diableries committed during that fearful winter."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of diablery
Diablery traces back through Old French 'diable' to Latin 'diabolus', meaning devil, which itself comes from Greek 'diabolos', literally 'slanderer' or 'accuser'. The suffix '-ery' forms nouns denoting actions or practices, so diablery means 'the practice of devilish things'. It developed alongside the more common borrowing 'diablerie' from French, and both entered English in the early modern period.
How diablery is actually used
Diablery is a rare and somewhat archaic word, found chiefly in older literature or deliberately literary modern prose. It is more common to encounter its close relative 'diablerie'. The word can carry a playful connotation of impish mischief as well as a serious one of genuine evil.
Easily confused with diablery
Diablerie is the more standard and widely used form of the word, while diablery is a rarer variant carrying essentially the same meaning of devilish conduct or sorcery.