aichmophobia

noun

aich·​mo·​pho·​bia ˌāk-mə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

-mō-

: a morbid fear of sharp or pointed objects (such as scissors, knives, or hypodermic needles) : belonephobia

While there is probably a touch of aichmophobia in all humans, most of us tough it out, look the other way or think of something else when we get shots …

—Ranit Mishori

aichmophobe

ˈāk-mə-ˌfōb 

-mō-

noun

plural aichmophobes

aichmophobic

ˌāk-mə-ˈfō-bik 

-mō-

adjective

… it eases people into acupuncture when they're aichmophobic (afraid of pointy objects) because it's also relaxing and comforting.

—Tricia Caspers

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French aichmophobie, from Greek aichmḗ "point of a spear, spear" + French -o- -o- + -phobie -phobia; aichmḗ going back to Indo-European *h₂ei̯ḱ-(s)m- (whence also Lithuanian iẽšmas "spit, skewer," Old Prussian aysmis), perhaps derivative of a verbal base *h₂ei̯ḱ- "run through (with a pointed object), spear, skewer"

Note: See the etymology of Latin īcere "to strike with a weapon, smite" at ictus.

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aichmophobia

noun

aich·​mo·​pho·​bia ˌāk-mə-ˈfō-bē-ə, -mō- 

: a morbid fear of sharp or pointed objects (such as scissors or a needle)

called also belonephobia