ailurophobia

English

Alternative forms

• aelurophobia, elurophobia

Etymology

From Ancient Greek αἴλουρος (ailuros, “cat”) + -phobia.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /aɪˈljʊəɹəʊfəʊbiə/, X-SAMPA: /aI"ljU@r\@Uf@Ubi@/

Noun

ailurophobia (usually uncountable; plural ailurophobias)

1. An irrational fear or hatred of cats or other felines.
   • 1920, Carl Can Vechten, The Tiger In The House^[1], page 62–63:

     Whatever the cause there are many recorded instances of persons suffering from ailurophobia exhibiting symptoms of distress in rooms which apparently contained no cats; later cats would be discovered, hidden behind curtains or in closets.

Synonyms

• galeophobia

Related terms

• ailurophobe
• ailurophile

See also

• Ailuroidea