vampirism

[vam-pahyuh r-iz-uh m, -puh-riz-]

noun

belief in the existence of vampires.

the acts or practices of vampires.

unscrupulous exploitation, ruin, or degradation of others.

Origin of vampirism

First recorded in 1785–95; vampire + -ism

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

Examples from the Web for vampirism

Contemporary Examples of vampirism

You could say that the metaphor of vampirism being a… release is probably true.
Hot-Blooded Horror
Nick Antosca
August 1, 2009

Historical Examples of vampirism

Whatever placidity there is is attained by means of vampirism.
The Kempton-Wace Letters
Jack London
There are many well-authenticated cases of vampirism in France and Germany.
Werwolves
Elliott O'Donnell
Now that vampirism, by the evocation of the dead, is joined to demonism, the victim is worse than possessed.
L-bas
J. K. Huysmans
It has been asserted that Bertrand was a vampire; but there are absolutely no grounds for associating him with vampirism.
Werwolves
Elliott O'Donnell
In a word, it is Vampirism, pure and simple, on the psychic plane.
H. P. Blavatsky
Alice Leighton Cleather

British Dictionary definitions for vampirism

vampirism

noun

belief in the existence of vampires

the actions of vampires; bloodsucking

the act of preying upon or exploiting others

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

Word Origin and History for vampirism

1737, from vampire + -ism.