fetish

noun fe·tish \ˈfe-tish also ˈfē-\

: a strong and unusual need or desire for something

: a need or desire for an object, body part, or activity for sexual excitement

: an object that is believed to have magical powers

Full Definition of FETISH

a : an object (as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a material object regarded with superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence

b : an object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion : prepossession

c : an object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression

: a rite or cult of fetish worshipers

: fixation

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Variants of FETISH

fe·tish also fe·tich \ˈfe-tish also ˈfē-\

Origin of FETISH

French & Portuguese; French fétiche, from Portuguese feitiço, from feitiço artificial, false, from Latin facticius factitious

First Known Use: 1613

Related to FETISH

Synonyms: fixation (also fetich), idée fixe, mania, obsession, preoccupation, prepossession

Antonyms: hoodoo, jinx

Other Psychology Terms

hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with FETISH

Lettish, pettish, wettish

Medical Dictionary

fetish

noun fe·tish

Medical Definition of FETISH

: an object or bodily part whose real or fantasized presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression