FĂ©tiche
/fe.tiÊ/noun
An object believed to possess magical or supernatural power, especially as a sacred talisman.
Did you know?European explorers applied the term to West African sacred objects, but the word originally meant something artificially made or crafted, not inherently demonic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dÊ°ehâ-
âTo put, place, or makeâ
Classical Latin
Latin
facere
âTo make or doâ
Classical Latin
Latin
factīcius
âArtificial, manufactured, or made by human skillâ
15thâ16th Century
Portuguese
feitiço
âA charm, sorcery, or artificially made magical objectâ
16th Century
French
fétiche
âAn object believed to possess magical or sacred powerâ
Modern English
English
fetish
âAn object believed to contain supernatural power; later, an intense fixation or attractionâ