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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Necrophilia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necrophilia. Accessed 1 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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