n. 1. An object that is believed to have magical or spiritual powers, especially such an object associated with animistic or shamanistic religious practices. 2. An object of unreasonably excessive attention or reverence: made a fetish of punctuality. 3. Something, such as a material object or nonsexual part of the body, that arouses sexual desire and may become necessary for sexual gratification. 4. An abnormally obsessive preoccupation or attachment; a fixation. [French fétiche, from Portuguese feitiço, artificial, charm, from Latin factīcius, artificial; see FACTITIOUS.] ![]() (click for a larger image) fetisha Native American bear fetish, believed to have spiritual powers |
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