vampire
/'væmpaiə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A mythical undead creature: In folklore and popular culture, a vampire is a reanimated corpse that is believed to leave its grave at night to drink the blood of the living, often by biting their necks.
- A person who preys on others: Figuratively, a vampire can describe a person who ruthlessly exploits or drains the resources, energy, or emotions of others.
- A type of bat: In zoology, "vampire" can refer to certain species of bats (e.g., the common vampire bat) that feed on the blood of animals.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Mythical Creature):
- The legend tells of a vampire sleeping in a coffin during the day.
- She dressed as a vampire for Halloween, complete with fake fangs.
- Noun (Exploitative Person):
- He was an emotional vampire, constantly demanding attention and sympathy.
- The loan shark was a financial vampire, sucking the life out of the community.
- Noun (Animal):
- The vampire bat is found in Central and South America.
Advanced Usage
- "Vampire" as a cultural archetype: The vampire is a common figure in Gothic literature and horror films, often symbolizing themes of desire, immortality, and the forbidden.
- Bram Stoker's "Dracula" established the modern literary vampire.
- "Vampire" in modern slang: Sometimes used informally to describe someone who stays up very late at night.
- I'm such a vampire this week, working until 3 a.m. every night.
Variants and Related Words
- Vampiric (adj): Of, relating to, or characteristic of a vampire.
- The castle had a vampiric atmosphere.
- Vampirism (n): The practices or condition of being a vampire; the act of blood-drinking.
- The novel explored the curse of vampirism.
Synonyms
- Bloodsucker: Literal for the creature; figurative for an exploitative person.
- Ghoul: A different type of monstrous creature from folklore, sometimes used similarly.
- Parasite: A close synonym for the figurative meaning of a person who lives off others.
Related Phrases
- Vampire bat: The common name for bats of the subfamily Desmodontinae.
- Vampire squid: The common name for , a deep-sea cephalopod.
- Energy vampire: A modern colloquial term for a person who drains others' emotional energy.
Related Idioms
- To have a vampire's thirst for something: To have an insatiable desire or need for something.
- The dictator had a vampire's thirst for power.
- Like a vampire avoiding sunlight: Used to describe someone shunning or being harmed by a particular thing.
- He avoids responsibility like a vampire avoids sunlight.
Noun
- (folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living