English Explanatory Dictionary

necrophilia

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A pathological attraction to dead bodies.
  2. Sexual activity with corpses.
  3. A pathological fascination with death.

Pronunciation

/ˌnɛkɹə(ʊ)ˈfɪlɪə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-necrophilia.wav /nɛkɹoʊˈfɪli.ə/ /nɛkɹoʊˈfɪljə/

Word forms

necrophilia necrophilias

Etymology

From necro- (Ancient Greek νεκρός (nekrós, “corpse, dead”)) + -philia (Ancient Greek φιλία (philía, “affection”)), after German Nekrophilie (in Krafft-Ebing 1887).

Synonyms

necrophilism necrophily

Antonyms

necrophobia

Related words

necrophagia necrophile necropolis necropsy necrosis necrotize

Derived words

functional necrophilia necrophile necrophiliac necrophilic necrophilist
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