fetishism

or fet·ich·ism

[ fet-i-shiz-uhm, fee-ti- ]

noun

1. belief in or use of fetishes.
2. Psychiatry. the compulsive use of some object, or part of the body, as a stimulus in the course of attaining sexual gratification, as a shoe, a lock of hair, or underclothes.
3. blind devotion:

   a fetishism of sacrifice to one's children.

fetishism

/ ˈfɛtɪˌʃɪzəm; ˈfiː- /

noun

1. a condition in which the handling of an inanimate object or a specific part of the body other than the sexual organs is a source of sexual satisfaction
2. belief in or recourse to a fetish for magical purposes
3. excessive attention or attachment to something

Derived Forms

• ˈfetishist, noun
• ˌfetishˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• fetish·ist noun
• fetish·istic adjective
• fetish·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetishism¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; fetish + -ism

Example Sentences

For all its brutality, the series retains the original’s romance without sliding into its predecessor’s cultural fetishism.

From Salon

The desert heat is producing a bizarre mix of white nationalist ideology, gun fetishism, election denialism, general conspiracymongering, and goofy personalities.

From Slate

I have called this approach “methodological fetishism,” when scientists fixate on a preferred methodology and dismiss studies that don't follow it.

From Scientific American

But as Jeremy O. Harris’ stage hit “Slave Play” has reminded us in recent years, heated arguments about fetishism, assimilation and otherness aren’t at all abstract when it comes to dating interracially.

From Los Angeles Times

The single was actually released in May but after a couple months, Mr. Aldean released a video that quickly became a national lightning rod over charges of racism and gun fetishism.

From Washington Times