angelophilia
|an-gel-o-phi-li-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.dʒə.loʊˈfɪl.i.ə/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.dʒə.ləˈfɪl.i.ə/
love or attraction to angels
Etymology
'angelophilia' originates from Greek elements via Modern English/Neo-Latin: Greek 'angelos' (ἄγγελος) meaning 'messenger, angel' + Greek 'philia' (φιλία) meaning 'love, fondness'.
'angelophilia' is a modern English/Neo-Latin formation combining the Greek roots 'angelos' and 'philia'; it was coined by analogy with other -philia compounds rather than evolving from a single medieval English predecessor.
Initially formed to mean 'love of or fondness for angels,' the term has also come to be used in specialized contexts to denote erotic or paraphilic attraction to angels.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a fondness for or strong admiration of angels (religious or aesthetic appreciation).
Her paintings reflect a lifelong angelophilia evident in their repeated winged figures.
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Noun 2
(psychology/sexual) an erotic attraction to angels or angelic beings; a specific paraphilia.
Clinical reports have sometimes used the term angelophilia to describe patients who experience erotic attraction to angelic imagery.
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Last updated: 2025/10/21 15:55