Zombie

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Origin

Louisiana Creole or Haitian Creole zonbi, of Bantu origin; akin to Kimbundu nzúmbe ghost

Definitions

  • 1: usually zombi
a : the supernatural power that according to voodoo belief may enter into and reanimate a dead body
b : a will-less and speechless human in the West Indies capable only of automatic movement who is held to have died and been supernaturally reanimated

2:a: a person held to resemble the so-called walking dead; especially : automaton

b : a person markedly strange in appearance or behavior
  • 3: a mixed drink made of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice

Description

A zombie (Haitian Creole: zonbi; North Mbundu: nzumbe) is an animated corpse raised by magical means, such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli. Since the late 19th century, zombies have acquired notable popularity, especially in North American and European folklore. In modern times, the term "zombie" has been applied to an undead being in horror fiction, often drawing from the depiction of zombies in George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. They have appeared as plot devices in various books, films, television shows, video games and comics.[1]