devilhave

Devilhave is a term that appears primarily in contemporary speculative fiction and folklore-inspired discourse. It has no fixed dictionary definition, and its meaning shifts with context. Generally, devilhave can refer to (1) a state of demonic influence or possession attributed to a person, (2) a cursed or malevolent artifact thought to confer dangerous powers, or (3) a fictional entity such as a demon, a title, or an organization within a story.

Etymology: The coinage combines devil with have, echoing phrases about possessing or being possessed by evil forces. Its exact origin is uncertain and likely arises from modern writers who create compound terms evocative of demon lore. The form resembles other fantasy coinages that fuse supernatural imagery with everyday language.

In folklore and traditional belief systems, devilhave is sometimes used to describe phenomena that communities interpret as demonic harassment or possession. Explanations may include ritual cleansing, protective talismans, or exorcism rites, depending on local practice. In some tellings, devilhave also refers to a cursed object—the possession of which requires a specific ritual to break the curse.

In literature and media, devilhave appears as a fictional device: the name of a demon, a cursed amulet, or a secret order’s emblem. Writers use the term to evoke danger, corruption, or the thinning boundary between the mortal and the infernal.

See also: possession, exorcism, demonology, cursed objects, neologism.