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lycanthropy

lycanthropy

3 9.9
A condition where a person turns into a wolf in old stories and myths
  • noun
  • /laɪˈkænθrəpi/
  • Literature
translation icon : licantropía
  • Many stories in folklore discuss lycanthropy as a magical transformation into a wolf during the full moon.
  • cure for lycanthropy

Examples

  • Yes, they say heredity sometimes plays a role in lycanthropy.

  • With ADM, we can wipe out lycanthropy, the curse of the werewolf, forever.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • What do you know about lycanthropy?

  • "All of us here at the Lycanthropy Institute truly believe that your condition exists, and we have in fact developed a method to cure it."

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Tonight the full moon would rise, bringing his last chance to be cured of lycanthropy.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • - People with lycanthropy usually don't wanna give up the power, it's a privilege to be chosen.

  • Many cultures and religions believe the moon and its phases have significant influence on us, especially those suffering from lycanthropy.

    Blog text (28)
  • Nick Lupo, for example, contends with numerous problems related to his lycanthropy.

    Academic text (2011)
  • "Lycanthropy is affected by the moon's light... and depending on the moon's breadth..."

  • - If you know anything about lycanthropy, then you know that being able to transform into a wolf doesn't automatically induce the terminology werewolf.

Synonyms

werewolfism
vslycanthropy
  • Literature
1 9.9

The belief that someone can turn into a werewolf

emphasizes a supposed magical ability to turn from human into wolf

Surface Forms

lycanthropy singular
lycanthropies plural

Morphology

lycanthropy = lycanthrope (semi-transparent) = lycanthrop + y

Formed from 'lycanthrope' + '-y' (state or condition), which is a regular nominal formation, but the combining element 'lycanthrop-' is rare and Greek-derived, so the parts are not fully transparent to average learners.

Etymology

Lycanthropy comes from Greek parts lykos 'wolf' and anthropos 'man'. So it means 'wolf-man' and explains why the word describes the idea of changing from a human into a wolf.