lycanthropy

[ lahy-kan-thruh-pee ]

noun

1. a delusion in which one imagines oneself to be a wolf or other wild animal.
2. the supposed or fabled assumption of the appearance of a wolf by a human being.

lycanthropy

/ ˌlaɪkənˈθrɒpɪk; laɪˈkænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the supposed magical transformation of a person into a wolf
2. psychiatry a delusion in which a person believes that he is a wolf

Derived Forms

• lycanthropic, adjective

Other Words From

• ly·can·throp·ic [lahy-k, uh, n-, throp, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lycanthropy¹

From the Greek word lykanthrōpía, dating back to 1575–85. See lycanthrope, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of lycanthropy¹

C16: from Greek lukānthropía, from lukos wolf + anthrōpos man

Example Sentences

This laudable goal comes with no small risk, but one simple threat is perhaps not taken seriously enough: What if someone on one of these flights is stricken with lycanthropy?

From Scientific American

Stop using XamfirPM if you experience: headaches, joint pain, flaming discharge, wilted ribs, night quacking, glowing, cloven toes, kaleidoscopic vision, lycanthropy, Bea Arthur mimicking, or zombification.

From Washington Post

“Ginger Snaps” famously linked lycanthropy and menstruation, “Raw” turned carnal desire into cannibalism and “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” offered a female vampire vigilante.

From New York Times

Poor Collinsport was terrorized by witchcraft, killer ghosts, lycanthropy and I don’t know how many other evil doings.

From New York Times

As Silver charts realms of quackery and freak shows, lycanthropy and psychoanalysis, indoor plumbing and urban waterworks, she eventually brings together the pieces of this story like glass in a kaleidoscope patterning and coalescing.

From Los Angeles Times