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lycanthrope

lycanthrope

2 9.9
A person who turns into a wolf at the full moon
  • noun
  • /laɪˈkænθroʊp/
  • Literature
translation icon : licántropo
  • Legends tell of a lycanthrope who transforms under the light of the full moon.
  • vampires and lycanthropes

Examples

  • During the full moon, the village feared the lycanthrope that roamed the woods at night.

  • He's a lycanthrope in human form.

  • Well, officer, it looked like a lycanthrope to me, sir.

  • The Lycanthrope let go of her, a little victory, and likely to be her last.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Except for the Lycanthrope, who kept his hungry eyes fixed on her.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • We were attacked by a lycanthrope... a werewolf.

  • We are known as lycanthropes.

  • You might say I feel a certain kinship with lycanthropes.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Despite his speed and cunning, the Lycanthrope could not get past the flashing blade.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The Lycanthrope stood waiting, aching to use his fangs and claws.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

werewolf
vslycanthrope
  • Literature
94 7.9

A person who changes into a wolf during a full moon

is the formal mythological term rather than everyday language
wolfman
vslycanthrope
  • Literature
8 9.3

A person who turns from a human into a wolf during the full moon

is the folklore term focused on myth rather than fictional monster stories
loup-garou
vslycanthrope
  • Literature
9.9

A person who turns into a wolf and back

is the general mythological term, not the regional name

Surface Forms

lycanthrope singular
lycanthropes plural

Etymology

Lycanthrope comes from the Greek parts lykos meaning 'wolf' and anthropos meaning 'human'. So a lycanthrope is literally a 'wolf-man', a person who can change from a human into a wolf.