lyssophobia

[ lis-uh-foh-bee-uh ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of going insane.
2. an extreme fear of rabies.

Other Words From

• lys·so·pho·bic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyssophobia¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from Greek lyss(a) “rage, rabies, madness” + -o- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Men doubtless occasionally develop lyssophobia under such an influence, but animals do not contract genuine rabies.

From Project Gutenberg