Vampir

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A creature from folklore that sustains itself by consuming the blood of the living
2. A mythological being often depicted as a reanimated corpse that drinks blood to maintain its existence
3. A supernatural entity characterized by its need to feed on the vital essence of others, typically represented in various cultural narratives

Etymology: In the early 1730s, Habsburg officials serving in Serbia investigated the case of Arnold Paole, a former soldier who was said to have risen from the dead and drained villagers of blood. Their reports, written in German, used the word "Vampir," which spread through French and reached English by about 1734. The word is Slavic, most likely from Serbian or a related South Slavic dialect. Earlier forms such as "upir" appear in medieval Slavic sources. Its deeper origin is uncertain, and proposed sources, including a Turkic one, remain unconfirmed.

Synonyms: vampire, bloodsucker, ghoul, undead, dracula

Antonyms: human, mortal, living being