Claustrophobia
/ˌklɔːstrəˈfoʊbiə/noun
An intense fear of enclosed or confined spaces.
Did you know?The first element comes from Latin claustrum, “a lock, bolt, barrier, or enclosed place,” ultimately tied to the same root as words for shutting and closure—so the fear is literally built into the language of being sealed in.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
claustrum
“a lock, bolt, barrier, or enclosed place”
Late Latin
Latin
claustro-
“combining form meaning closed or shut”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phobos
“fear, panic, terror”
19th Century
French/Medical Latin
claustrophobie
“fear of enclosed spaces”
Modern English
English
claustrophobia
“intense fear of confined or enclosed spaces”