zoolatryhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoolatry_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoolatry, n.
Revised 2017

zoolatrynoun

  1. 1784–
    The worship of animals. Also hyperbolically: extreme or excessive fondness for animals.
    1. 1784
      Zoolatry, zoolatrie.
      J. S. Charrier, Nugent's New Pocket Dictionary Eng. & French (ed. 4) vol. II
    2. 1845
      That the gods of the Gentiles, however connected with Sabianism and Materialism and Zoölatry, were originally..deified mortals.
      G. S. Faber, Eight Dissertations vol. I. iv. i. 285
    3. 1858
      Conspicuous at the head of the zoolatry of Egypt stands the worship of the great Memphitic bull, Apis.
      C. Hardwick, Christ & Other Masters iv. i. 56
    4. 1896
      We were not aware that she carried her zoolatry to the length of objecting to the dissection of their [sc. animals'] dead bodies.
      British Medical Journal 11 April 931/2
    5. 1907
      They brought with them a concrete form of zoolatry in the cult of the buffalo.
      Quarterly Review July 200
    6. 1935
      Zoolatry, so common to most boys, is put to its best uses.
      Times 24 January 8/3
    7. 2005
      The zoolatry of the Egyptians unnerved the Greeks, as did the greater antiquity of their culture.
      New Republic (Nexis) 21 March 25

zoolatry, n. was revised in June 2017.

zoolatry, n. was last modified in July 2023.