fetish

{ n. }[ F. fétiche, from Pg. feiti&unr_;o, adj., n., sorcery, charm, fr. L. facticius made by art, artifical, factitious. See Factitious. ] 1. A material object supposed among certain African tribes to represent in such a way, or to be so connected with, a supernatural being, that the possession of it gives to the possessor power to control that being. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any object to which one is excessively devoted.

{ 277), n. }[ Cf. F. fétichisme. ] [ Written also feticism. ] 1. The doctrine or practice of belief in fetiches. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Excessive devotion to one object or one idea; abject superstition; blind adoration. [ 1913 Webster ]

The real and absolute worship of fire falls into two great divisions, the first belonging rather to fetichism, the second to polytheism proper. Tylor.

{ n. } A believer in fetiches. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was by nature a fetichist. H. Holbeach.

{ a. } Pertaining to, or involving, fetichism. [ 1913 Webster ]

A man of the fifteenth century, inheriting its strange web of belief and unbelief, of epicurean levity and fetichistic dread. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]