# lycanthropy

> English word · Noun · IPA /laɪ̯ˈkæn.θɹə.piː/ · frequency rank #99,520

## Definitions
1. The state of being a lycanthrope (or werewolf), a person who can shapeshift between the form of a human being and a wolf, often said to happen involuntarily during a full moon; werewolfdom.
2. The state of being a person who can shapeshift between the form of a human being and an animal, whether or not it is a wolf.
3. A delusion in which one believes oneself to be a wolf or other wild animal.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek λῠκᾰνθρωπῐ́ᾱ (lŭkănthrōpĭ́ā), from λῠκᾰ́νθρωπος (lŭkắnthrōpos, “wolfman”). By surface analysis, lycanthrope + -y (abstract noun suffix).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lycanthropy