Yeah, pederast now is generally applied to a gay, or someone who likes young boys, which is the definition my desk-side dictionary gives the word, though I once recall having a dictionary which indeed defined the word to mean what we usually refer to as "pedophilia"--in any case that's certainly not the common meaning, and I've never come across it used that way. 

--- On Sat, 9/6/08, Jansy <Jansy@AETERN.US> wrote:
From: Jansy <Jansy@AETERN.US>
Subject: [NABOKV-L] RES: [NABOKV-L] THOUGHTS: HH and the law (was Lolita in America...)
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 4:18 PM

James Studdard,

 

Are you sure that the American law names pedophiles, pederasts?  There is a huge difference in etymology, meaning and practical consequences. [ JS:These considerations rarely enter the minds of a pederast (the correct name for a pedophile).  Usually, a practiced sexual predator knows the law and always seeks concealment of the fact. ]
Below, a very good point! [ BTW, HH would have never conveyed his amorous intentions via Email.  His ego would have prevented it.  HH needed the exhilaration of the empirical "reaction" "expression"  etc.  I have no doubt, however, that Lolita would have burned up cyber-space with her fantasies.   JS]
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Search the archive Contact the Editors Visit "Nabokov Online Journal"
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Search the archive Contact the Editors Visit "Nabokov Online Journal"
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All private editorial communications, without exception, are read by both co-editors.