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vampirism

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

First recorded in 1785–95; vampire + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for vampirism

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • No mark of vampirism was found either on the corpse of the son or on the others.

    The Phantom World

    Augustin Calmet

  • There are many well-authenticated cases of vampirism in France and Germany.

    Werwolves

    Elliott O'Donnell

  • “But without the ill effects of vampirism,” he urged quickly.

  • Would there not be hope—if he battled with that—put that vampirism behind?

  • Here then, were all the admitted signs and proofs of vampirism.

    In a Glass Darkly, v. 3/3

    Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

British Dictionary definitions for vampirism

vampirism

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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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

n.

1737, from vampire + -ism.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper