Photophobia
/ˌfoʊtəˈfoʊbiə/noun
Abnormal sensitivity or aversion to light, especially bright light, often associated with eye or neurological conditions.
Did you know?The second half comes from Greek Phobos, the personification of fear and a companion of Ares, whose name also became the word for fear itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bha-
“To shine or give light”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phōs (φῶς), phōtos (φωτός)
“Light; the genitive form phōtos became the combining form phot-”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Phobos (φόβος)
“Fear, dread, or panic; also the personification of fear”
19th Century
New Latin/English
photophobia
“An aversion to light, formed from phot- plus -phobia”
Modern English
English
photophobia
“Abnormal light sensitivity or discomfort caused by light”
Explore more surprising origins