Main Entry:

vam·pire

Pronunciation:

\ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from German Vampir, from Serbian vampir

Date:

1732

1: the reanimated body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons asleep2 a: one who lives by preying on others b: a woman who exploits and ruins her lover3: vampire bat

— vam·pir·ic \vam-ˈpir-ik\ adjective

— vam·pir·ish \ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r-ish\ adjective

[vampire illustration]