Hypertext Webster Gateway: "exorcist"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists. --Acts xix.
13.
2. A conjurer who can raise spirits. [R.]
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjured up My
mortified spirit. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
exorcist
n : someone who practices exorcism [syn: {exorciser}]
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