Zoophilia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An attraction or sexual preference directed towards non-human animals as objects of affection
2. A psychological condition characterized by the desire for sexual involvement with animals
3. A deviation in sexual orientation where one exhibits romantic or sexual interest in members of other species

Etymology: "Zoophilia" is built from two Greek elements: "zōion," meaning "animal," and "philia," meaning "love" or "fondness." The "zoo-" part is the same combining form that gives us "zoology" and "zoo," while "-philia" is the familiar suffix found in words like "bibliophilia" and "hemophilia," where it denotes an attraction or affinity toward something. Because the word is assembled from classical parts, it is a modern coinage rather than a term the ancient Greeks would have recognized for this idea. Its formation follows the pattern of many scientific and clinical vocabulary items, where Greek elements were combined to name conditions and tendencies. The sense it carries, a sexual or romantic interest directed at other species, is therefore expressed through a transparent compound that reads almost literally as "love of animals."