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The word ''werewolf'' is thought to derive from Old English ''wer'' (or were) and ''wulf''. The first part, ''wer'', translates as "man." An alternative etymology derives from Old English ''weri'' (to wear); in this case "werewolf" would indicate a warrior who wore wolf-pelts, noted for his uncontrollable battle rage, very similar to the Old Norse berserker, ''ber-'' as in "bear" the mammal, and ''serkr'', "shirt". A third possible derivation is from ''warg-wolf'' or ''vargulf'', a term referring to a rogue wolf which slaughtered domestic animals, but ate little of the kill.
The word ''werewolf'' is thought to derive from Old English ''wer'' (or were) and ''wulf''. The first part, ''wer'', translates as "man." An alternative etymology derives from Old English ''weri'' (to wear); in this case "werewolf" would indicate a warrior who wore wolf-pelts, noted for his uncontrollable battle rage, very similar to the Old Norse berserker, ''ber-'' as in "bear" the mammal, and ''serkr'', "shirt". A third possible derivation is from ''warg-wolf'' or ''vargulf'', a term referring to a rogue wolf which slaughtered domestic animals, but ate little of the kill.
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The term ''lycanthropy'' comes from Ancient Greek λυκανΘροποσ (''lykánthropos)'': λυκοσ (''lýkos)'' ("wolf") + ανΘροποσ (''ánthrōpos)'' ("human"). There is also a mental illness called lycanthropy, in which a patient believes he or she is an animal and behaves accordingly. This is sometimes referred to as clinical lycanthropy, to distinguish it from its use in legends.
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The term ''lycanthropy'' comes from Ancient Greek λυκάνθρωπος (''lykánthropos)'': λύκος (''lýkos)'' ("wolf") + άνθρωπος (''ánthrōpos)'' ("human"). There is also a mental illness called lycanthropy, in which a patient believes he or she is an animal and behaves accordingly. This is sometimes referred to as clinical lycanthropy, to distinguish it from its use in legends.
==See also==
==See also==