the devil

English

Alternative forms

the Devil

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Adverb

the devil (not comparable)

(idiomatic) Used to add emphasis to a question or statement.
What the devil are you doing here at this time of night?
- 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], Act I:
  VVhat is he an honeſt man? the deuill he is, he is the Parſon of the Towne,
  You thinke ther’s no knauerie hid vnder a black gowne,
  Find him in a pulpit but twiſe in the yeare,
  And Ile find him fortie times in the ale-houſe taſting ſtrong beare.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling:
  “Brother,” said she, “whatever message Mr Blifil thinks proper to send to my niece shall be delivered to her; and I suppose she will want no instructions to make a proper answer. I am convinced she will not refuse to see Mr Blifil at a proper time.”—“The devil she won’t!” answered the squire.

Synonyms

(intensifier): See Thesaurus:the dickens

Derived terms

the devils
the devil you say
the dickens
what the devils

Translations

adds emphasis to a question or statement

Breton: an diaoul
Portuguese: diabos (pt)

Noun

the devil (uncountable)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see the,‎ devil.

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