pedophilia

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /piːdəˈfɪlɪə/
• enPR: păd'ə-fĭl'ē-ə
• Hyphenation: pe‧do‧phil‧ia

Noun

Singular pedophilia

Plural pedophilias

1. In general use, pedophilia is an adult's sexual act against or sexual attraction to a minor.

   Pedophilia causes problems in children who are victims of it.

   Pedophilia sometimes is the pedophile's only sexual attraction, but sometimes exists alongside normal attraction to other adults.

Usage notes

• Although in general use pedophilia means any adult sexual attraction to or sexual act against any minor, in psychiatry it means more specifically an adult with a mental disorder characterized by his being sexually attracted mostly or only to prepubescent children.

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