Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for fetish

fetish

[ fet-ish, occasionally, fee-tish ]

noun

    1. any object, part of the body, or activity that is ordinarily regarded as nonsexual and causes a habitual erotic response or fixation.
    2. a habitual erotic response to or fixation on an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual.
    3. unconventional sexual practices involving an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual, considered collectively.
  1. Anthropology. an object regarded with awe as being the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit or as having magical potency.

    Synonyms: amulet, talisman

  2. any object, idea, etc., eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect, or devotion:

    We shouldn't make a fetish of high grades, as there are other ways of measuring success.

    It's no secret that the previous administration had a fetish for secrecy.



fetish

/ ˈfiːtɪʃ; ˈfɛtɪʃ /

noun

  1. something, esp an inanimate object, that is believed in certain cultures to be the embodiment or habitation of a spirit or magical powers
    1. a form of behaviour involving fetishism
    2. any object that is involved in fetishism
  2. any object, activity, etc, to which one is excessively or irrationally devoted

    to make a fetish of cleanliness



fetish

  1. An object believed to carry a magical or spiritual force. Some so-called primitive tribes practice cult worship of fetishes. ( See animism (see also animism ) and totemism .)


Discover More

Notes

Figuratively, a “fetish” is any object that arouses excessive devotion: “Lucille made a fetish of her Porsche.”

Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈfetish-ˌlike, adjective

Discover More

Other Words From

  • fet·ish·like adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish1

First recorded in 1605–15; earlier fateish, from Portuguese feitiço “charm, sorcery” (noun), “artificial” (adjective), from Latin factīcius factitious; replacing fatisso, fetisso, from Portuguese, as above

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish1

C17: from French fétiche , from Portuguese feitiço (n) sorcery, from adj: artificial, from Latin factīcius made by art, factitious

Discover More

Example Sentences

Two of the “Fetish” sculptures by the artist known as B. Wurtz, from his solo show now at Metro Pictures in New York.

Valle plunged to depths most of us cannot even imagine, via an Internet portal called Dark Fetish Network.

Trichophilia: Hair Fetish Those that are sexually aroused by human hair are known as trichophiles.

Podophilia: Foot Fetish I was topless, sitting on a table barefoot stomping on bananas and yogurt.

Capnolagnia: Smoking Fetish I hate the smell of cigarettes.

The craft of the Fetish-man comes under none of the preceding categories.

On this occasion, the king of the village and the staff of Fetish men connected with it, take part.

His Fetish was a wooden bowl behind which he squatted at the roadside by way of adoration.

The realization of abstractions was not the embodiment of a word, but the gradual disembodiment of a Fetish.

His playful introduction showed him a child of Mystery, moved by Voices and inspired by a Fetish.

Advertisement

Related Words

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


fetiparousfetishism