pedophilia

noun

pe·​do·​phil·​ia ˌpe-də-ˈfi-lē-ə How to pronounce pedophilia (audio) ˌpē- How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically : a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child
pedophiliac adjective
or pedophilic

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedophilia was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near pedophilia

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

pedophilia

noun
pe·​do·​phil·​ia ˌped-ə-ˈfil-ē-ə How to pronounce pedophilia (audio) ˌpēd- How to pronounce pedophilia (audio)
variants or chiefly British paedophilia
: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
specifically : a psychiatric disorder in which an adult has sexual fantasies about or engages in sexual acts with a prepubescent child

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