zoolatry

[ zoh-ol-uh-tree ]
/ zoʊˈɒl ə tri /

noun

the worship of or excessive attention to animals.

Origin of zoolatry

First recorded in 1810–20; zoo- + -latry

OTHER WORDS FROM zoolatry

zo·ol·a·ter, noun zo·ol·a·trous, adjective

Words nearby zoolatry

zooid, zookeeper, zooks, zool., zoolagnia, zoolatry, zoological, zoological garden, zoologist, zoology, zoom

Example sentences from the Web for zoolatry

  • Clemens Alexandrinus, again, after describing the animal-worship of the Egyptians, mentions cases of zoolatry in Greece.

    Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1 |Andrew Lang

  • Zoolatry is intertwisted with the earliest and most widespread law of prohibited degrees.

    Custom and Myth |Andrew Lang

  • Remnants of the old Semitic zoolatry perpetuated themselves until the end of paganism and even later.

    The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism |Franz Cumont

British Dictionary definitions for zoolatry

zoolatry
/ (zəʊˈɒlətrɪ) /

noun

(esp in ancient or primitive religions) the worship of animals as the incarnations of certain deities, symbols of particular qualities or natural forces, etc
extreme or excessive devotion to animals, particularly domestic pets

Derived forms of zoolatry

zoolater, noun zoolatrous, adjective