fetish
UK[ˈfet.ɪʃ]US[ˈfet̬.ɪʃ]
n
an object that is believed to have magical powers, especially one that is worshipped by some peoples
n
a form of sexual desire in which pleasure is linked to an unusual object, activity, or part of the body
n
something to which a person is excessively or irrationally devoted
Etymology
the word 'fetish' entered english in the early 17th century via french fétiche, which was derived from portuguese feitiço meaning 'charm' or 'sorcery'. the portuguese term itself originated from latin factīcius, meaning 'made by art' or 'artificial'. this latin root is related to facere, 'to make'. the semantic journey is from something 'artificially made' to a 'magical charm', and finally to its modern meanings encompassing objects of irrational devotion or sexual fixation. the logic traces a path from a crafted object imbued with supernatural power to any object that holds an obsessive, often non-rational, significance for an individual or culture.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling that can be reliably assigned independent meanings for learner analysis.
Examples
the tribal elder carried a small fetish believed to protect the village.
he had a fetish for collecting vintage leather shoes.
in modern consumer culture, the smartphone has become a technological fetish.