DEVIL
Originally a DEVIL was an entirely malignant evil SPIRIT, DEMON, or fiend, the servant of the DEVIL; and in the Hebrew and Christian tradition, as the fallen ANGELS were condemned to the infernal regions. Their particular mission is to lead mankind into temptation and sinfulness, so that human souls will be damned and claimed by the DEVILS' master for HELL. They may take any shape necessary to accomplish their task, but are generally described as having diminutive human shapes with horns, hairy body, tails, and cloven hooves.
SOURCE: Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins: An Encyclopedia