1. An irrational dread of being beaten or a general fear of clubs: Jack, the boy in the story, had rhabdophobia and always ran away from his parents when they had rods, sticks or switches, afraid that he would be punished with them!
2. Anxiety about being criticized or punished: Mildred, suffering from rhabdophobia, was extremely frightened of being chastened by her teacher, Mrs. Hard, when she checked her homework and found a mistake because then she would be rapped on her knuckles!
3. An apprehension of magic: Some sources say that rhabdophobia is a horror of sorcery, witchcraft, or of conjuration and causing terrible things to happen!