Fetishism
/ˈfɛtɪʃɪzəm/noun
The practice of attributing sacred or magical qualities to objects.
Did you know?The word 'fetish' originally referred to charms and talismans in West African cultures, believed to hold spiritual power and influence.
Etymological Timeline
Portuguese Colonial Era
Portuguese
feitiço
“A charm or spell believed to hold magical power.”
17th Century
Portuguese
fetichismo
“The belief in the power of charms and objects.”
18th Century
French
fétichisme
“The worship of objects as sacred or magical.”
19th Century
English
fetishism
“The attribution of religious or magical powers to inanimate objects.”
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