hydrophobia

[ hahy-druh-foh-bee-uh ]

noun

1. an extreme dread or fear of water, especially when associated with painful involuntary throat spasms from a rabies infection. Compare aquaphobia.
2. rabies.

hydrophobia

/ ˌhaɪdrəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. another name for rabies
2. a fear of drinking fluids, esp that of a person with rabies, because of painful spasms when trying to swallow Compare aquaphobia

hydrophobia

/ hī′drə-fō′bē-ə /

1. Abnormal fear of water.
2. Rabies.

Other Words From

• hy·dro·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrophobia¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin, from Greek hydrophobía; hydro- ¹, -phobia

Word History

Hydrophobia is an older term for the disease rabies, and it means “fear of water.” Because of this name, many people think that rabies makes one afraid of water. In fact, this is not the case (although rabies does cause mental confusion of other kinds). The name hydrophobia comes from the fact that animals and people with rabies get spasms in their throat muscles that are so painful that they cannot eat or drink, and so will refuse water in spite of being very thirsty.

Example Sentences

Perhaps because of these factors, even today, blacks appear to be more prone to hydrophobia than whites.

From The Daily Beast

I found here a contradiction to the vulgar opinion, that hydrophobia is not known in Brazil.

From Project Gutenberg

Rabies or hydrophobia is a disease which claims a certain number of victims every year in our large cities.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a false hydrophobia observed in excitable persons that have been bitten by a dog thought to be mad.

From Project Gutenberg

The snarling, biting, and barking of false hydrophobia are hysterical; these symptoms do not occur in real hydrophobia.

From Project Gutenberg

How many panaceas have been offered without success for two evils—sea-sickness and hydrophobia!

From Project Gutenberg