Hydrophobia: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ง
hydrophobia
[ haษชdrษหfoสbiษ ]
medical condition
Hydrophobia is a term commonly used to describe a severe and irrational fear of water. It is primarily associated with rabies, where the affected individual experiences an intense aversion to drinking water due to spontaneous laryngeal spasms when attempting to swallow. This condition is often observed in the later stages of rabies, leading to further complications and distress. Hydrophobia can also refer to an extreme fear of swimming or being in water, which can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life.
Synonyms
aquaphobia, fear of water, water phobia
Examples of usage
- The dog showed signs of hydrophobia as it became increasingly agitated around water.
- During the rabies outbreak, many people were alarmed by the symptoms of hydrophobia in infected animals.
- Therapy is often needed to help individuals overcome hydrophobia and enjoy aquatic activities.
- The child's hydrophobia made it difficult for her to engage with her peers at the community pool.
Translations
Translations of the word "hydrophobia" in other languages:
๐ต๐น hidrofobia
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฒเคจเคฟเคทเฅเคง (jalanishedh)
๐ฉ๐ช Hydrophobie
๐ฎ๐ฉ hidrofobia
๐บ๐ฆ ะณัะดัะพัะพะฑัั
๐ต๐ฑ hydrofobia
๐ฏ๐ต ๆฐดๆๆ็ (mizu kyลfushล)
๐ซ๐ท hydrophobie
๐ช๐ธ hidrofobia
๐น๐ท hidrofobi
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฌผ ๊ณตํฌ์ฆ (mul gongpojeung)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฑูุงุจ ุงูู ุงุก (rahab almaa)
๐จ๐ฟ hydrofobie
๐ธ๐ฐ hydrofรณbia
๐จ๐ณ ๆๆฐด็ (kวng shuว zhรจng)
๐ธ๐ฎ hidrofobija
๐ฎ๐ธ vรถtn skelfing
๐ฐ๐ฟ ััะดัาฃ าะพัาัะฝััั (sudyn qorqynyshy)
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแงแแแก แจแแจแแ (tskhlis shishit)
๐ฆ๐ฟ su qorxusu
๐ฒ๐ฝ hidrofobia
Etymology
The word 'hydrophobia' is derived from Greek roots: 'hydro' meaning 'water' and 'phobia' meaning 'fear'. The term was first used in the early 19th century, notably in medical texts that described the symptoms associated with rabies. As rabies is characterized by intense spasms and an aversion to drinking water, the term became synonymous with the disease's late-stage symptoms. Over time, hydrophobia has evolved to also encompass a broader interpretation surrounding a fear of water itself in various contexts. In modern psychology, hydrophobia refers to a psychological condition, often categorized under anxiety disorders, wherein individuals experience extreme fear when in proximity to water bodies or even the thought of being submerged. This duality in usage reflects the historical significance of the term in both medical and psychological domains.
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #28,829, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
- ...
- 28826 bracketing
- 28827 dogmatically
- 28828 heartened
- 28829 hydrophobia
- 28830 farrowing
- 28831 permissiveness
- 28832 redirecting
- ...