Definition

Noun: * An abnormal and irresistible sexual attraction to or sexual interest in dead bodies.

Usage

• The term is used primarily in clinical, forensic, and legal contexts to describe a specific paraphilia.
• It refers to a psychiatric condition and is also used to describe criminal acts involving corpses.

Examples

• The forensic psychiatrist diagnosed the suspect with necrophilia.
• Acts of necrophilia are considered both a severe mental disorder and a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.
• The novel explored the dark psychology of necrophilia.

Advanced Usage

• Necrophiliac (noun): A person who has or acts on necrophilia.
  • The court heard testimony from a psychologist about the mind of a necrophiliac.
• Necrophilic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by necrophilia.
  • The investigation uncovered necrophilic fantasies in the perpetrator's journals.

Variants and Related Words

• Necrophagy (noun): The act of feeding on dead bodies or carrion. (Note: This is a different concept related to consumption, not sexual attraction).
• Necrophobia (noun): An irrational fear of death or dead things.

Synonyms

• Thanatophilia (a less common clinical synonym)

Notes on Meaning

• The term strictly denotes the attraction or interest itself. The associated acts are often described separately (e.g., necrophilic acts, violation of a corpse).
• It is distinct from necromancy, which is the supposed practice of communicating with the dead.

Noun

1. an irresistible sexual attraction to dead bodies