Lycanthropy Definition

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Lycanthropy

Lycanthropy is the transformation of a human being into a wolf. Lycanthropy may be considered similar to metamorphosis. The term comes from ancient Greek lykánthropos (λυκάνθρωπος): λύκος, lύkos ("wolf") + άνθρωπος, αnthrōpos ("man"). The word can also be used transitively, referring to the act of transforming someone else into a wolf, or werewolf.

The word lycanthropy is often used generically for any transformation of a human into animal form, though the precise term for that is technically therianthropy.

There are two types: the first type is exhibited as a mental illness in which the patient imagines himself as being a wolf or another animal and behaves accordingly. It may even includes a craving for blood. This is sometimes referred to as clinical lycanthropy to distinguish it from its use in legends.

The second type is the magical-ecstatic transformation of a person into a werewolf which is usually accomplished through the use of ointments or charms. The term turnskin or turncoat (Latin: versipellis, Russian : oboroten, O. Norse: hamrammr) is sometimes also used.

Werewolf

Werewolf literally means "man-wolf".

The name is thought most likely to derive from Old English 'wer' (or 'were') meaning 'man' (male "man" rather than gender-neutral) or possibly the Latin "vir," also meaning man, masculine. It has cognates in several Germanic languages including Gothic 'wair', Old High German 'wer' , Old Prussian: 'wirs', and Irish 'fear' (pl. 'fir').

The second element is '*wlkwo-' or wulf meaning simply 'wolf'. The two elements joined thus yield 'man-wolf.'

An alternative etymology looks to Old English weri (to wear) plus "wolf", thus bearing wearer of the wolf skin. This was not the only word connected with were-wolves which helped on the superstition.

Other sources believe it is derived from warg-wolf, where "warg" (or later "werg" and "wero") is cognate with Norse "varg". The word vargr in old Norse had a double significance, it signified a wolf, and also a godless man.

A "vargulf" is the kind of wolf that slaughters many of a flock or herd but eats only a bit. This was a serious problem for herders as they had to somehow destroy the individual wolf that had run mad before it destroyed their entire flock or herd. They then used the wolf's hide as a decorative ornament in the bedroom of a young infant, believing it to give the baby supernatural powers. "Warg" by itself was used in Old English for that specific kind of wolf (see J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit) and it was used as well for what would now be called a serial killer.

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