[‘ A substance or medicine used to exorcize a demon; (also more generally) anything thought to give protection against evil spirits. Cf. demonagogue n.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /dᵻˈmɒnᵻfjuː(d)ʒ/, diːˈmɒnᵻfjuː(d)ʒ, U.S. /dəˈmɑnəˌfjudʒ/, diˈmɑnəˌfjudʒ
Forms: 17 *daemonifuge*, 18– *demonifuge*.
Etymology: < classical Latin /daemōn/ demon n. + -i- connective + -fuge comb. form, after e.g. febrifuge n.
A substance or medicine used to exorcize a demon; (also more generally) anything thought to give protection against evil spirits. Cf. demonagogue n.
1754 T. Hartley /Serm. Var. Subj./ Pref. p. lxxxiv, Recommending a Dose of Physic to the Patient as the best Dæmonifuge.
1790 T. Pennant /Of London/ 180 Isabella..I hope was wrapped in the friars garment, for few stood more in need of a dæmonifuge.
1839 R. Wake /Southwold/ ii. 56 Peals were rung from their saintly bell-towers to act as demonifuges.
/a/1843 R. Southey /Common-place Bk./ (1850) 3rd Ser. 771/1 Salt a demonifuge.
1909 E. G. C. F. Atchley /Hist. Use of Incense in Divine Worship/ ii. xix. 371 Incense being regarded as a demonifuge, it was used..particularly in visiting the sick.
2002 W. Stephens /Demon Lovers/ vii. 203 Holy water is consecrated through exorcism and hence functions as a demonifuge.