1. a person who is believed to be able to transform into a wolf or wolf-like creature, especially in folklore and mythology
Usage: often used in fantasy and horror contexts; from Greek lykos (wolf) + anthropos (human)
2. a person suffering from lycanthropy, a psychological disorder in which the patient believes themselves to be a wolf or wolf-like animal
Usage: medical/psychiatric usage; rare

Examples

• In medieval folklore, a lycanthrope was said to prowl the forests at night.
• The novel features a lycanthrope who struggles to control his transformation during the full moon.
• Ancient myths describe lycanthropes as cursed humans condemned to live as wolves.
• The werewolf legend likely originated from stories of lycanthropes in European cultures.
• Psychiatrists have documented rare cases of patients claiming to be lycanthropes.
• The horror film depicts a lycanthrope terrorizing a small village.