hydrophobia

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   rabies, especially as formerly named for the painful difficulty in swallowing liquids that it can cause

   Nineteenth-century physicians often referred to rabies as hydrophobia.

2. 2
   noun

   an abnormal and intense fear of water

   Her hydrophobia made even the thought of crossing the river distressing.

From Middle English idroforbia, through Latin hydrophobia, from Ancient Greek hydrophobia. The Greek formation combines hydro- ("water") with -phobia ("fear"), from phobos ("fear"). Its historical use for rabies reflects the aversion to swallowing liquids caused by spasms in advanced disease.

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