lycanthropy

American  

[lahy-kan-thruh-pee] / laɪˈkæn θrə pi /

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.

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lycanthropy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lycanthropic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lycanthropy

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

Explanation

Lycanthropy is the process of transforming into a werewolf, so if you're suddenly overcome with an urge to howl at the moon, you might be in the throes of lycanthropy! If you love werewolf stories or movies, you can be fancy and say you're a fan of lycanthropy narratives. Long ago, this word was used for a mental illnesses in which a patient truly believed themselves to be a wolf. Lycanthropy comes from a Greek root, lykanthropos, or "wolf man," from lykos, "wolf," and anthrōpos, "man."

Example Sentences

This malady, which is not unknown to physicians, has been termed "Lycanthropy."

From The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 4. (of 7): Babylon The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by Rawlinson, George

A man guilty of the crimes committed by the Angus brigand, or the carle of Perth, would have been regarded as a were-wolf in France or Germany, and would have been tried for Lycanthropy.

From The Book of Were-Wolves by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

Lycanthropy, lī-kan′thro-pi, n. the power possessed by a person of changing himself into a wolf: a kind of madness, in which the patient fancies himself to be a wolf.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Ghoulism and Lycanthropy Sergeant Bertrand has also been declared a ghoul.

From Werwolves by O'Donnell, Elliott

Among the ancients this kind of insanity went by the names of Lycanthropy, Kuanthropy, or Boanthropy, because those afflicted with it believed themselves to be turned into wolves, dogs, or cows.

From The Book of Were-Wolves by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)