zombie

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a dead body that has been brought back to life by a supernatural force
  2. noun (voodooism) a spirit or supernatural force that reanimates a dead body
  3. noun a god of voodoo cults of African origin worshipped especially in West Indies

Etymology

First attested in the 18th century. Partially through Louisiana Creole zombi (“zombie; ghost”), Haitian Creole zonbi (“zombie”), and French zombi (“zombie”). Ultimately from a Bantu language. Compare Kongo nzambi (“god”), zumbi (“fetish”), and Kimbundu nzumbi (“ghost”) (see Portuguese zumbi, Sranan Tongo dyumbi), and Caribbean folklore's jumbie (“a spirit or demon”). A possible origin from Spanish sombra (“shadow, phantom”) has also been suggested.

In classic literature

Synonyms

zombi, living dead

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