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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vampirism British  

/ ˈvæmpaɪərˌɪzəm /

noun

1. belief in the existence of vampires

2. the actions of vampires; bloodsucking

3. the act of preying upon or exploiting others

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Etymology

Origin of vampirism

First recorded in 1785–95; vampire + -ism