lycanthropy
noun
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Whether about Zeus punishing King Lycaon for trickery or a perfectly coiffed werewolf drinking a piña colada in a London bar, tales of lycanthropy—the transformation of a person into a wolf or wolf-like creature—have captivated imaginations for millennia. The word lycanthropy comes from the Greek words lykos, meaning “wolf,” and anthrōpos, meaning “human being.” Halloween, the time of year when you’re most likely to encounter a lycanthropic individual (or several), also happens to be the perfect occasion to drop such etymological knowledge on their tufted little ears. You know, as a treat.
Examples of lycanthropy in a Sentence
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024
That’s an important piece of science that is rivalled in its profundity only by Lund’s conclusions at the same time last year about the nature of lycanthropy on other planets.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2023
His entire line was cursed with lycanthropy.
—Jacob Siegal, BGR, 4 Nov. 2021
Ask your physician if lycanthropy might be right for you!
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2023
Gael García Bernal is Jack Russell, a monster hunter who, ironically, is stricken with lycanthropy and must conceal his true identity.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Oct. 2022
Russell has a family history of lycanthropy — or the supernatural transformation of a human into a wolf — but uses his power for good, and is able to remain aware of his transformations.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Aug. 2021
Created by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Scot Eaton and Benjamin Jackendoff, Gomez is described to be a descendant of the Native American tribe Hopi who has been cursed with lycanthropy, also through his lineage.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Aug. 2021
The fantasies depicted were encyclopedic in their macabre scope, including murder, séances, ghost hunts, telekinesis, black magic, Nazis, lycanthropy and a visit by Jack the Ripper.
—Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lycanthropy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Lycanthropy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lycanthropy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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lycanthropy
noun
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