venustraphobia

English

Etymology

From Latin venustus +‎ -phobia, from Venus (“the goddess of love”).

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: ve‧nu‧stra‧phob‧ia

Noun

venustraphobia (uncountable)

1. (rare) Fear of beautiful women.
   • 2003, Joanne Friedman, It's a Horse's Life!: Advice and Observations for the Humans Who Choose to Share It, →ISBN:

     I'm working, however, on instilling a case of venustraphobia (fear of beautiful women—another use for Vicks) in my partner, and my daughter could use a little ataxophobia (fear of disorder or untidiness).

   • 2010, Lia Weston, The Fortunes of Ruby White, →ISBN:

     The woman leaned forward and addressed Ruby in a whisper. “Are you here for venustraphobia, chorophobia, porphyrophobia, or an audio disorder?”

   • 2012, George Edward Moon, The Virgin Killer, →ISBN, page 77:

     He isn't exactly suffering from Venustraphobia since he has no problem interfacing with beautiful women.

   • 2012 January 14, David Tang, “The second-class sex”, in Financial Times:

     I fear both kinds. I must admit to gynophobia – the general fear of women – and, in particular, venustraphobia – the fear of beautiful women.

Related terms

• venust