zoophilic

adjective

zoo·​phil·​ic ˌzō-ə-ˈfi-lik How to pronounce zoophilic (audio)
variants or zoophilous
zō-ˈä-fə-ləs How to pronounce zoophilic (audio)
zə-ˈwä-
: having an attraction to or preference for animals
especially, of an insect : preferring animals to humans as a source of food

Word History

Etymology

zoo- + -philic

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zoophilic was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near zoophilic

Cite this Entry

“Zoophilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoophilic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

zoophilic

adjective
zoo·​phil·​ic ˌzō-ə-ˈfil-ik How to pronounce zoophilic (audio)
: having an attraction to or preference for animals: as
a
: affected with zoophilia
b
of an insect : preferring lower animals to humans as a source of food
zoophilic mosquitoes
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