pedophilia

noun

pe·​do·​phil·​ia ˌpe-də-ˈfi-lē-ə How to pronounce pedophilia (audio) ˌpē- How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically : a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child
pedophiliac
ˌpe-də-ˈfi-lē-ˌak How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
ˌpē-
adjective
or pedophilic
ˌpe-də-ˈfi-lik How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
ˌpē-

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedophilia was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near pedophilia

pedophile

pedophilia

pedorthics

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pedophilia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedophilia. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

pedophilia

noun
pe·​do·​phil·​ia ˌped-ə-ˈfil-ē-ə How to pronounce pedophilia (audio) ˌpēd- How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
variants or chiefly British paedophilia
ˌpēd- How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically : a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child

More from Merriam-Webster on pedophilia

Nglish: Translation of pedophilia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pedophilia for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pedophilia

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