phobo-, phob-, -phobia, -phobias, -phobe, -phobiac, -phobist, -phobic, -phobism, -phobous

An abnormal fear of foreign doctors: While Shareen was traveling in Africa with her husband, her xeniatrophobia kept her from going to a local physician for treatment of the stomach ache which she was experiencing.

An irrational animosity of foreign hotels: Xenodochiophobias may include a dread that there won't be soap, proper toilet paper, clean towels, etc. while traveling and staying in such a place.

An apprehension of foreign pickpocket specialists, which should not be considered a strange anxiety: When Adam and his family were traveling in Mexico, they had what is called xenonosocomiophobia because many thieves are known to live there, according to their friends who had such experiences when they were traveling there the month before.

1. An irrational fear or hatred of being around foreigners or strangers and of unfamiliar situations: When people are possessed with xenophobias, they usually cannot tolerate having anything to do with others or with situations that they have no knowledge or experiences with.

Xenophobias often involve dreads of things that are different from the normal habits or social environments of people who have such anxieties.

2. Etymology: from Greek xenos, "strange, foreign" + phobos), "fear, dread". © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Descriptive of someone who has a dread of being around strangers: When Ray's wife suggested that they should go on a trip to France and England to visit friends, he rejected the idea because, as a xenophobic person, he had a terrible fear of being around so many foreign people.

When the couple from outer space saw the unfamiliar baby, they were totally xenophobic and the shock they had was impossible to describe.

1. An abnormal fear of dryness or of dry places: Deserts are one example why people have a xerophobia because they might have a horror of not getting enough water to survive!

In biology, a xerophobia is an aversion to arid habitats by animals, or an inability of certain plants to survive in such moistureless locations.

2. The inhibition of salivary flow resulting in a dry mouth: Such xerophobias are caused by emotional conditions, such as fear, anger, or excessive excitement.

An irrational dread of wooden objects or an excessive fear of trees: Those who have a xylophobia are terrified and repulsed at the idea of touching, licking, or running their teeth along wooden objects, including ice cream sticks, wooden tooth picks, etc., and sometimes some people feel like throwing up when such things are in their mouths.

An abnormal fear of razors: Sam has a xyrophobia about shaving with an edge tool for this purpose because it often cuts him and causes bleeding, so he has a long beard!

An irrational dread of jealousy: When Adam was having a great deal of contacts with several women at a social affair, he had a zelophobia that his wife might be upset with him for spending so much time with them and not with her.

1. A morbid detestation of animals in general, or of some specific animal: According to an article in a German newspaper, a police officer was going for a walk in the woods with his wife and their three dogs. A stranger, who lived in the forest, was following them and when the couple stopped, the man also stopped because he had zoophobia and was abnormally fearful of being close to the dogs.
2. Etymology: from Greek zoo, "animal" + phobia "fear." © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

1. A reference to the avoidance of animals: There are zoophobic plants which are protected by spines, hairs, secretions, etc. which prevent creatures from eating them.
2. Relating to the dread of certain animals: The most common zoophobic feelings of people are related to dogs, cats, snakes, spiders, rats, and mice.