vampirism

American  

[vam-pahy^uhr-iz-uhm, -puh-riz-] / ˈvæm paɪərˌɪz əm, -pəˌrɪz- /

noun

1. belief in the existence of vampires.

2. the acts or practices of vampires.

3. unscrupulous exploitation, ruin, or degradation of others.

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Etymology

Origin of vampirism

First recorded in 1785–95; vampire + -ism

Example Sentences

But nobody wants Remmick at this fish fry, and the rules of vampirism, and the Culture, explain why he can’t force his way in.

From Salon

When Louis picks the offer of vampirism to pull himself out of his funk, he immediately regrets it.

From Salon

Some of the world's deadliest bacteria seek out and feed on human blood, a newly-discovered phenomenon researchers are calling "bacterial vampirism."

From Science Daily

Many of such binaries will at some point transfer mass from one star to another, a kind of stellar vampirism depicted in this artist’s impression.

From Salon

When Jonathan comes under the count's spell and begins slipping into vampirism, it is Mina who must rescue him and join the hunt for Dracula in England.

From BBC