pedophilia ped·o·phil·i·a (pěd'ə-fĭl'ē-ə, pē'də-) n. The act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children.
ped'o·phile' (-fīl') n. ped'o·phil'i·ac' (-fĭl'ē-āk') adj.&n.
psychosexual disorder in which an adult's arousal and sexual gratification occur primarily through sexual contact with prepubescent children. The typical pedophile is unable to find satisfaction in an adult sexual relationship and may have low self-esteem, seeing sexual activity with a child as less threatening than that with an adult. Most pedophiles are men; the condition is extremely rare in women.
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Cite This Source
