Extremely evil or wicked, especially in a way that seems clever or cunning; relating to the devil.
From Late Latin diabolicus, derived from Greek diabolos (διάβολος) meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser,' from dia- (across) + ballein (to throw). The word originally meant 'slanderous' but evolved to mean 'devilish' as it was used to describe Satan.
The Greek root 'ballein' means 'to throw,' so diabolos literally means 'thrown across'—imagine lies being hurled at someone! This connection to slander shows how ancient people associated the devil with deception rather than just evil.
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