vampire

Definition

A mythological creature (usually humanoid and undead) said to feed on the blood or life energy of the living.

Etymology

From French vampire, from German Vampir, via Hungarian from a Slavic word, probably Serbo-Croatian vàmpīr /ва̀мпӣр, from Proto-Slavic *ǫpyrь. Doublet of oupire.

Example Sentences

• "Bram Stoker's novel Dracula built on centuries-old stories of vampires and also encouraged new growth of the mythology."
• "[I]n the Village of Medreyga in Hungary, certain dead Bodies (call'd there Vampyres) had kill'd several Persons by sucking out all their Blood: That Arnold Paul, an Heyduke, having kill'd four Persons after he was dead, his Body was taken up 40 Days after, which bled at the Nose, Mouth and Ears: That, according to Custom, they drove a Stake thro' his Heart, at which he gave horrid Groan, and lost a great deal of Blood. And that all such as have been tormented or kill'd by Vampyres, become Vampyres when they are dead."
• "The universal belief is, that a person sucked by a vampyre becomes a vampyre himself, and sucks in his turn."

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