fetish
- Noun:
- An object believed to have magical powers, especially for protection: A fetish can be an object, often a small carving or amulet, that is thought to possess supernatural powers and is used in religious or spiritual rituals.
- Excessive or irrational devotion to or reverence for something: A fetish can describe an obsessive focus on or attachment to a particular activity, concept, or object, often to an unreasonable degree.
- A form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, type of clothing, or non-sexual part of the body: In psychology and sexuality, a fetish is a condition where sexual arousal and satisfaction are intensely and recurrently tied to a specific, often inanimate, item or body part.
Noun (Magical Object): The tribal elder carried a fetish, a small carved animal, for good luck on the hunt. In some cultures, a fetish is an important part of spiritual practice.
Noun (Irrational Devotion): He has a fetish for cleanliness; he washes his hands dozens of times a day. The company made a fetish of punctuality, firing employees for being one minute late.
Noun (Sexual Desire): A common fetish involves a strong attraction to shoes or leather clothing. Therapy can sometimes help individuals for whom a fetish causes significant distress.
"To make a fetish of something": To treat something with excessive or irrational devotion or importance. Some parents make a fetish of their children's academic success, causing immense pressure.
"Fetish object": The specific item that is the focus of magical belief or sexual desire. The polished stone was his fetish object, which he believed warded off evil.
Fetishism (n): The practice of or belief in the magical power of fetishes; in psychology, the condition of having a sexual fetish. Anthropologists studied the fetishism prevalent in the region. The book discusses the psychology of fetishism.
Fetishistic (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a fetish. His fetishistic attention to detail made him an excellent proofreader. The behavior was described as fetishistic.
Fetishize (v): To make a fetish of; to treat with obsessive devotion or to attribute excessive sexual desire to. Some advertisements fetishize consumer products, making them seem essential for happiness. It is problematic to fetishize a particular body type.
- Obsession: A state of being preoccupied with something to a troubling extent.
- Talisman: An object, like a fetish, thought to have magic powers and bring good luck.
- Fixation: A strong, often obsessive, attachment or focus.
- Commodity fetishism: (Advanced/Sociological term) A concept from Marxist theory where social relationships are mediated by and perceived through relationships between commodities (objects for trade).
- To have a fetish for: To have an unusually strong liking or preoccupation with something (can be used in both non-sexual and sexual contexts, though context clarifies).
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excessive or irrational devotion to some activity
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made a fetish of cleanliness
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a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers
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a form of sexual desire in which gratification depends to an abnormal degree on some object or item of clothing or part of the body
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common male fetishes are breasts, legs, hair, shoes, and underwear
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