Werewolf: meaning, definitions and examples

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werewolf

 

[ หˆwษ›rหŒwสŠlf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mythical creature

A werewolf is a mythological creature that is said to transform from a human into a wolf or wolf-like being, typically during a full moon. This transformation is often associated with any number of supernatural factors, and werewolves are often depicted in folklore as possessing heightened abilities and ferocity. The concept of werewolves has appeared in various cultures over centuries, inspiring countless stories and adaptations in literature and film.

Synonyms

lycanthrope, werebeast, wolfman

Examples of usage

  • In the full moon light, he became a werewolf.
  • The villagers feared the werewolf that roamed at night.
  • She read a book about a werewolf's curse.
  • Many legends warn against encounters with a werewolf.

Translations

Translations of the word "werewolf" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lobisomem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเค‚เคถเคœ (เคตเฅ‡เคฐเคตเฅ‹เคฒเฅเคซ)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Werwolf

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ manusia serigala

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะตั€ะตะฒะตั€ั‚ะตะฝัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wilk- czล‚owiek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็‹ผไบบ (ใŠใŠใ‹ใฟใŠใจใ“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท loup-garou

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ hombre lobo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kurt adam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋Š‘๋Œ€์ธ๊ฐ„ (neugdaeingan)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฐุฆุจ ุจุดุฑูŠ (di'ib bashari)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vlkodlak

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vlkodlak

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹ผไบบ (lรกngrรฉn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ volkodlak

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vampรญr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐัา›ั‹ั€ ะฐะดะฐะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ’แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜-แƒแƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒ˜แƒแƒœแƒ˜ (mgeli-adamiani)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qurd insan

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ hombre lobo

Etymology

The term 'werewolf' comes from the Old English word 'werwulf', which is a compound of 'wer' meaning 'man' and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf'. This term has its roots in Germanic folklore, where werewolves were often depicted as being cursed or afflicted individuals. Folktales from various cultures describe similar beings, such as the Greek legend of Lycaon, who was transformed into a wolf by Zeus. The werewolf mythos became prominent in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, where stories of wolf transformations were used to explain various human behaviors and natural phenomena. The fear of werewolves was sometimes paralleled with witch hunts, leading to trials where accused individuals claimed to be werewolves or were thought to possess such powers. As stories evolved, the cultural representation of werewolves also changed, influencing modern literature, movies, and popular culture, creating a lasting fascination with the legend.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,299, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.