Agoraphobia
/ˌæɡ.ə.rəˈfoʊ.bi.ə/noun
An anxiety disorder characterized by fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, especially open or crowded places.
Did you know?Agoraphobia was coined in the 19th century from Greek roots, but its first element agora originally meant a public gathering place or marketplace, not “open space” in the modern sense.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
agorá
“a marketplace, assembly place, or public gathering space”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phóbos
“fear, panic, or terror”
19th Century
German
Agoraphobie
“a term coined in medical writing for fear of public places or open spaces”
19th Century
English
agoraphobia
“a psychiatric term adopted into English for fear of public places or open spaces”
Modern English
English
agoraphobia
“fear of situations where escape or help may feel difficult, often avoided as open or crowded places”