vampirism

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

/ ˈvæm paɪərˌɪz əm, -pəˌrɪz- /

noun

belief in the existence of vampires.

the acts or practices of vampires.

unscrupulous exploitation, ruin, or degradation of others.

Nearby words

vamp, vamphorn, vampire, vampire bat, vampires, vampirism, vamplate, van, van allen, van allen belt, van buchem's syndrome

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

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

/ (ˈvæmpaɪərˌɪzəm) /

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