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vampire

a mythical being that feeds on the blood of the living

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Where does the word "vampire" come from? It comes from Serbian vampir, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).

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Where does the word "vampire" come from? It comes from Serbian vampir, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).

Vampire’s story begins in Serbian: vampir meant “a blood-drinking undead being.” A folkloric undead creature said to drink the blood of the living. It reached English by 1730s as vampire. Entered English after reports of Balkan vampire folklore spread across Europe. Today, vampire means a mythical being that feeds on the blood of the living.

  1. Stage 1 · Serbian · 1700s vampir "a blood-drinking undead being", a folkloric undead creature said to drink the blood of the living.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1730s vampire "a mythical blood-drinking undead being", entered English after reports of Balkan vampire folklore spread across Europe.

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