fetishism

fet·ish·ism also fet·ich·ism  (ft-shzm, ft-)

n.

1. Worship of or belief in magical fetishes.

2. Excessive attachment or regard.

3. The displacement of sexual arousal or gratification to a fetish.

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fetish·ist n.

fetish·istic adj.

fetish·isti·cal·ly adv.

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fetishism, fetichism

Psychiatry. the compulsive use of some object or part of the body as a sexual stimulus, as a shoe, underclothes, a lock of hair, etc. — fetishist, fetichist, n. — fetishistic, fetichistic, adj.

See also: Sex

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	fetishism - a belief in the magical power of fetishes (or the worship of a fetish) fetichism belief - any cognitive content held as true
	2.	fetishism - sexual arousal or gratification resulting from handling a fetish (or a specific part of the body other than the sexual organs) fetichism paraphilia - abnormal sexual activity