zoophilichttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoophilic_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoophilic, adj.
Revised 2017

zoophilicadjective

  1. 1.
    1884–
    Relating to or characterized by emotional attachment to, or love of, animals; animal-loving. Cf. zoophilia n. 1.
    1. 1884
      I hold that it is zoophilic when you can make machinery do the work of poor beasts of burden and of traction.
      American Reg. 5 July (London edition) 5/2
    2. 1947
      Our chief concern, however, is with the dog as a beast of burden. In England, presumably owing to the prevalence of zoophilic organisations such as the R.S.P.C.A. such practices are illegalised.
      New Biology 152
    3. 1998
      A zoophilic compassion for all animals.
      S. H. Webb, God & Dogs v. 109
    4. 2000
      Given the zoophilic tendencies of Britain's younger poets..it is interesting to find that Polly Clark..was, at one time, a zookeeper.
      Times Literary Supplement 15 September 32
  2. 2.
    1911–
    Originally Psychology and Psychiatry. Relating to or characterized by sexual attraction to, or activity with, animals. Cf. zoophilia n. 2.
    1. 1911
      This story, together with the remarks made..upon the repulsiveness of zo-ophilic practices, made a great impression upon the patient.
      H. W. Frink in Journal Abnormal Psychology vol. 6 201
    2. 1965
      Some spectators may derive a premature zoophilic frisson from Marnie's words to her horse, ‘Oh, Forio, if you want to bite anyone, bite me.’
      Movie Spring 23/2
    3. 2010
      Wanted: arrogant English, dumb Irish, zoophilic Welsh man; for comedic purpose only.
      Private Eye 28 May 37/4 (advertisement)
  3. 3.
    1922–
    Biology. Of a parasitic organism: that prefers to feed, live, or grow on animals rather than humans; having an animal rather than a human host. Also: of, relating to, or characteristic of such organisms. Contrasted with anthropophilic adj.
    1. 1922
      Anopheles are perhaps not so much misanthropic and zoophilic as thermotropic.
      Tropical Dis. Bulletin vol. 19 857
    2. 1937
      With ‘stabulation’ there come the optimum conditions for the ‘deviation’ of any species of zoophilic habits, and if these zoophilic forms alone are present, as is the case over a large part of Europe, malaria disappears.
      British Medical Journal 3 April 715/2
    3. 1961
      The Formosan strain of S [chistosoma] japonicum develops for a short period in the viscera of man, but does not reach maturity there and must be regarded as a non-human, zoophilic strain.
      Journal of Parasitology vol. 47 891/1
    4. 2015
      Fungi coming from animal sources (zoophilic fungi) induce a more intense inflammation than those spread from person to person.
      R. B. Weller et al., Clinical Dermatology (ed. 5) ix. 240/2

zoophilic, adj. was revised in June 2017.

zoophilic, adj. was last modified in July 2023.