necrophilia

noun

nec·ro·phil·ia ˌne-krə-ˈfi-lē-ə

: obsession with and usually erotic interest in or stimulation by corpses

necrophiliac

ˌne-krə-ˈfi-lē-ˌak

adjective or noun

necrophilic

ˌne-krə-ˈfi-lik

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German & French; borrowed from German Nekrophilie, borrowed from French nécrophilie, from nécro- necro- + -philie -philia

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of necrophilia was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Necrophilia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necrophilia. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

necrophilia

noun

nec·ro·phil·ia ˌnek-rə-ˈfil-ē-ə

: obsession with and usually erotic interest in or stimulation by corpses

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