Werewolf: meaning, definitions and examples
๐บ
werewolf
[ หwษrหwสlf ]
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:
๐ต๐น lobisomem
๐ฎ๐ณ เคตเคเคถเค (เคตเฅเคฐเคตเฅเคฒเฅเคซ)
๐ฉ๐ช Werwolf
๐ฎ๐ฉ manusia serigala
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะตัะตะฒะตััะตะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ wilk- czลowiek
๐ฏ๐ต ็ผไบบ (ใใใใฟใใจใ)
๐ซ๐ท loup-garou
๐ช๐ธ hombre lobo
๐น๐ท kurt adam
๐ฐ๐ท ๋๋์ธ๊ฐ (neugdaeingan)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฐุฆุจ ุจุดุฑู (di'ib bashari)
๐จ๐ฟ vlkodlak
๐ธ๐ฐ vlkodlak
๐จ๐ณ ็ผไบบ (lรกngrรฉn)
๐ธ๐ฎ volkodlak
๐ฎ๐ธ vampรญr
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะฐัาัั ะฐะดะฐะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแ-แแแแแแแแ (mgeli-adamiani)
๐ฆ๐ฟ qurd insan
๐ฒ๐ฝ hombre lobo
Word origin
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.