Definitions for: Hydrophobia

[n] an acute viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals (usually transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal); rabies is fatal if the virus reaches the brain
[n] a morbid fear of water
[n] a symptom of rabies in humans consisting of an aversion to swallowing liquids

Webster (1913) Definition: Hy`dro*pho"bi*a, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; "y`dwr water +
? fear: cf. F. hydrophobie.] (Med.)
(a) An abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of
canine madness; hence:
(b) The disease caused by a bite form, or inoculation with
the saliva of, a rabid creature, of which the chief
symptoms are, a sense of dryness and construction in the
throat, causing difficulty in deglutition, and a marked
heightening of reflex excitability, producing convulsions
whenever the patient attempts to swallow, or is disturbed
in any way, as by the sight or sound of water; rabies;
canine madness. [Written also hydrophoby.]

Synonyms: lyssa, madness, rabies

See Also: simple phobia, symptom, zoonosis

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