zoolatry

[ zoh-ol-uh-tree ]

noun

1. the worship of or excessive attention to animals.

zoolatry

/ zəʊˈɒlətrɪ /

noun

1. (esp in ancient or primitive religions) the worship of animals as the incarnations of certain deities, symbols of particular qualities or natural forces, etc
2. extreme or excessive devotion to animals, particularly domestic pets

Derived Forms

• zoˈolater, noun
• zoˈolatrous, adjective

Other Words From

• zo·ola·ter noun
• zo·ola·trous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoolatry¹

First recorded in 1810–20; zoo- + -latry

Example Sentences

Clemens Alexandrinus, again, after describing the animal-worship of the Egyptians, mentions cases of zoolatry in Greece.

From Project Gutenberg

Remnants of the old Semitic zoolatry perpetuated themselves until the end of paganism and even later.

From Project Gutenberg

In these beliefs zoolatry, litholatry and all the other nature worships outlived the savagery that had created them.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly, why resort to an ancestor worship to explain zoolatry?

From Project Gutenberg

De Brosses, very unluckily, confused zoolatry with other superstitions under the head of Fetichism.

From Project Gutenberg