ailurophobia

Definition

An irrational fear or hatred of cats or other felines.

Etymology

First recorded in 1905. From ailuro- (“cat”) + -phobia (“fear, hatred”), both from Ancient Greek.

Example Sentences

• "Ailourophobia†, (Katiphobia, or Gatophobia,) is a typical monomania. The fear of cats in certain monopsychoneurotic and psychopathic persons dates back to the beginning of the life of the feline."
• "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."