paraphilia

[ par-uh-fil-ee-uh ]

/ ˌpær əˈfɪl i ə /

noun Psychiatry.

a type of mental disorder characterized by a preference for or obsession with unusual sexual practices, as pedophilia, sadomasochism, or exhibitionism.

Nearby words

paraph, paraphase amplifier, paraphasia, paraphernalia, paraphia, paraphilia, paraphimosis, paraphrase, paraphrasis, paraphrast, paraphrastic

Origin of paraphilia

1920–25; para-¹ + -philia, on the model of paranoia

Also called sexual deviation.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for paraphilia

paraphilia

/ (ˌpærəˈfɪlɪə) /

noun

any abnormal sexual behaviour; sexual anomaly or deviation

Word Origin for paraphilia

C20: from para- 1 + -philia, from Greek philos loving

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for paraphilia

paraphilia

[ păr′ə-fĭl′ē-ə, -fēl′yə ]

n.

A psychosexual disorder in which sexual gratification is obtained through highly unusual practices that are harmful or humiliating to others or socially repugnant, such as voyeurism or pedophilia.