lycanthropy

noun

ly·​can·​thro·​py lī-ˈkan(t)-thrə-pē 

1

: a delusion that one has become a wolf

2

: the assumption of the form and characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft or magic

lycanthropic

ˌlī-kən-ˈthrä-pik 

adjective

Did you know?

Whether about Zeus punishing King Lycaon for trickery or a perfectly coiffed werewolf drinking a piña colada in a London bar, tales of lycanthropy—the transformation of a person into a wolf or wolf-like creature—have captivated imaginations for millennia. The word lycanthropy comes from the Greek words lykos, meaning “wolf,” and anthrōpos, meaning “human being.” Halloween, the time of year when you’re most likely to encounter a lycanthropic individual (or several), also happens to be the perfect occasion to drop such etymological knowledge on their tufted little ears. You know, as a treat.

Examples of lycanthropy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s an important piece of science that is rivalled in its profundity only by Lund’s conclusions at the same time last year about the nature of lycanthropy on other planets. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2023

His entire line was cursed with lycanthropy. —Jacob Siegal, BGR, 4 Nov. 2021

Ask your physician if lycanthropy might be right for you! —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2023

Gael García Bernal is Jack Russell, a monster hunter who, ironically, is stricken with lycanthropy and must conceal his true identity. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Oct. 2022

Russell has a family history of lycanthropy — or the supernatural transformation of a human into a wolf — but uses his power for good, and is able to remain aware of his transformations. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Aug. 2021

Created by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Scot Eaton and Benjamin Jackendoff, Gomez is described to be a descendant of the Native American tribe Hopi who has been cursed with lycanthropy, also through his lineage. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Aug. 2021

The fantasies depicted were encyclopedic in their macabre scope, including murder, séances, ghost hunts, telekinesis, black magic, Nazis, lycanthropy and a visit by Jack the Ripper. —Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2020

Teen Wolf, Teen Wolf Too (August 1) High school is a tough time for any teenager, and made even tougher by lycanthropy (i.e. werewolf-dom), as both Michael J. Fox and Jason Bateman learn in these 1980s horror-comedies. —Nick Schager, Esquire, 28 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin lycanthropia, from Greek lykanthrōpia, from lykanthrōpos werewolf, from lykos wolf + anthrōpos human being — more at wolf

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Medical Definition

lycanthropy

noun

ly·​can·​thro·​py lī-ˈkan(t)-thrə-pē 

plural lycanthropies

: a delusion that one has become or has assumed the characteristics of a wolf