fetish
UK: ˈfɛtɪʃ | US: ˈfɛtɪʃ
n. an object believed to have magical powers, especially in animistic religions
n. a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, or part of the body
n. an excessive or irrational devotion to or reverence for something
fetish = fet<made, artificial> + ish<noun suffix>
- fet (from Portuguese feitiço "charm, sorcery," from Latin facticius "made artificially," from facere "to make")
- ish (a noun-forming suffix, often indicating association or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word fetish traces back to Portuguese traders in West Africa, who adopted feitiço (meaning "magical charm") from local beliefs. The Latin root facticius ("artificially made") reflects the idea of objects imbued with supernatural power. Over time, the term evolved in anthropology to describe objects of religious veneration and later in psychology to denote obsessive attachments, particularly in sexual contexts. The shift from "magical object" to "irrational devotion" highlights the word's journey through cultural and academic reinterpretation.
The tribal elder carried a small fetish believed to ward off evil spirits.
Some people develop a fetish for leather or footwear.
His fetish for perfection made him unbearable to work with.
In Freudian theory, a fetish often stems from childhood experiences.
The museum displayed ancient fetishes used in healing rituals.