fetish

Sometimes fet·ich

[fet-ish, fee-tish]

noun

1. 1. any object, part of the body, or activity that is ordinarily regarded as nonsexual and causes a habitual erotic response or fixation.

   2. a habitual erotic response to or fixation on an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual.

   3. unconventional sexual practices involving an object, part of the body, or activity ordinarily regarded as nonsexual, considered collectively.

2. Anthropology.,  an object regarded with awe as being the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit or as having magical potency.

   Synonyms: amulet, talisman

3. any object, idea, etc., eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect, or devotion.

   We shouldn't make a fetish of high grades, as there are other ways of measuring success.

   It's no secret that the previous administration had a fetish for secrecy.

fetish

/ ˈfɛtɪʃ, ˈfiːtɪʃ /

noun

1. something, esp an inanimate object, that is believed in certain cultures to be the embodiment or habitation of a spirit or magical powers

2. 1. a form of behaviour involving fetishism

   2. any object that is involved in fetishism

3. any object, activity, etc, to which one is excessively or irrationally devoted

   to make a fetish of cleanliness

fetish

1. An object believed to carry a magical or spiritual force. Some so-called primitive tribes practice cult worship of fetishes. (See animism (see also animism) and totemism.)

Figuratively, a “fetish” is any object that arouses excessive devotion: “Lucille made a fetish of her Porsche.”

Other Word Forms

• fetish-like adjective
• fetishlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish¹

First recorded in 1605–15; earlier fateish, from Portuguese feitiço “charm, sorcery” (noun), “artificial” (adjective), from Latin factīcius factitious; replacing fatisso, fetisso, from Portuguese, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of fetish¹

C17: from French fétiche , from Portuguese feitiço (n) sorcery, from adj: artificial, from Latin factīcius made by art, _factitious

Example Sentences

Their pages often feature reviews from other sellers and a list of their specific fetishes.

From Salon

He said that Mr Alfonso had told him that he was interested in "black dominatrix" fantasies and described fetishes involving "master-slave" dynamics.

From BBC

But conservatives are aware that this death fetish cuts against their "pro-life" brand.

From Salon

We are running on the energy of farmers’ labor and transmuting it into fetish object, and it feels almost beautiful on set in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

A third woman said she had been driven to addiction by Cox's actions, while another said she had been "violated" as a result of his "sick fetish".

From BBC

Related Words

• predilection 
• proclivity 

When To Use

What is a fetish?

The word fetish is used in the context of some religions to refer to an object believed to have supernatural power or to contain a spirit, especially an object that has been created, such as a small carving or sculpture.Practitioners of such religions mayuse fetishes during religious ceremonies or as charms during other activities, such as hunting. They are treated with reverence due to the belief that they contain a spirit or have a special magical power.Example: The shaman began the ceremony by placing the fetish on the altar. Based on this sense, fetish can also be used in a more general way to refer to something that is obsessed over or treated with devotion, as in a fetish for collecting fine wine.The word fetish is also commonly used to refer to nonsexual things or body parts that cause sexual arousal, as in I have a fetish for glasses. Often, another word is used to specify a person’s sexual fetish, as in foot fetish or food fetish.