fetish

[ fet-ish, occasionally, fee-tish ]

noun

1. 1. any object, part of the body, or activity that is ordinarily regarded as nonsexual and causes a habitual erotic response or fixation.
   2. a habitual erotic response to or fixation on an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual.
   3. unconventional sexual practices involving an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual, considered collectively.
2. Anthropology. an object regarded with awe as being the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit or as having magical potency.

   Synonyms: amulet, talisman

3. any object, idea, etc., eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect, or devotion:

   We shouldn't make a fetish of high grades, as there are other ways of measuring success.

   It's no secret that the previous administration had a fetish for secrecy.

fetish

/ ˈfɛtɪʃ; ˈfiːtɪʃ /

noun

1. something, esp an inanimate object, that is believed in certain cultures to be the embodiment or habitation of a spirit or magical powers
2. 1. a form of behaviour involving fetishism
   2. any object that is involved in fetishism
3. any object, activity, etc, to which one is excessively or irrationally devoted

   to make a fetish of cleanliness

fetish

1. An object believed to carry a magical or spiritual force. Some so-called primitive tribes practice cult worship of fetishes. ( See animism (see also animism ) and totemism .)

Notes

Figuratively, a “fetish” is any object that arouses excessive devotion: “Lucille made a fetish of her Porsche.”

Derived Forms

• ˈfetish-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• fet·ish·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish¹

First recorded in 1605–15; earlier fateish, from Portuguese feitiço “charm, sorcery” (noun), “artificial” (adjective), from Latin factīcius factitious; replacing fatisso, fetisso, from Portuguese, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish¹

C17: from French fétiche , from Portuguese feitiço (n) sorcery, from adj: artificial, from Latin factīcius made by art, factitious

Related Words

• predilection
• proclivity