Ailurophobia
/aɪˌlʊərəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An intense or irrational fear of cats.
Did you know?The Greek word φόβος (phobos), meaning fear or panic, is related to the ancient root behind English words such as “fugitive” and “refuge.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰegʷ-
“To flee or escape; a reconstructed root associated with fear and flight.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φεύγω (pheugō)
“To flee, escape, or run away.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φόβος (phobos)
“Fear, panic, or terror.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
αἴλουρος (ailouros)
“Cat; the deeper origin of this Greek word is uncertain.”
19th Century
Scientific English
ailurophobia
“A modern medical and psychological term formed from Greek ailouros, “cat,” and phobos, “fear.””
Modern English
English
ailurophobia
“An intense or irrational fear of cats.”
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