ailurophobia

noun

ai·​lu·​ro·​pho·​bia ī-​ˌlu̇r-​ə-​ˈfō-​bē-​ə 

ā-

variants or less commonly aelurophobia

ē-​ˌlu̇r-​ə-​ˈfō-​bē-​ə 

: abnormal fear or loathing of cats

I don't know where my intense fear of cats came from or when it began. Ailurophobia, by definition, is irrational. But I am sure of this: Those sneaky little devils are out to get me.

—Dahleen Glanton

called also felinophobia

ailurophobe

ī-ˈlu̇r-ə-ˌfōb  ā- 

noun

or less commonly aelurophobe

ē-ˈlu̇r-ə-ˌfōb 

plural ailurophobes also aelurophobes

One famous ailurophobe was Pope Gregory IX, who declared in 1232 that cats were diabolical creatures, the embodiment of the devil and a symbol of heresy.

—Western Free Press (Arizona)

ailurophobic

ī-​ˌlu̇r-​ə-​ˈfō-​bik 

ā-

adjective

or less commonly aelurophobic

ē-​ˌlu̇r-​ə-​ˈfō-​bik 

… a crime-scene photographer so ailurophobic she refused to enter the house until the homeowner had herded her cats into a single room.

—Ken Daley

… some cat-lovers claim Garfield is a ratty sort of cat and the books are actually ailurophobic.

—The New York Times Book Review

Examples of ailurophobia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The psychiatrist set about reversing Mrs. A’s ailurophobia through systematic desensitization—a process of familiarization. —Brandy Schillace, WSJ, 30 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Greek aiélouros, aílouros "wild or domestic cat" (of uncertain origin) + -o- + -phobia

Note: According to an analysis dating back to the Etymologicum Magnum (12th century, from earlier sources), the word is composed of aiólos "quick-moving, nimble" and -ouros "having a tail (of the kind specified)." However, the word aiólos itself being of unknown origin, there is no explanation for the appearance of -e- in aiélouros. Presumably aiélouros first designated the wildcat (Felis sylvestris), as the domestic cat was a relatively late introduction in ancient Greece.

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ailurophobia

noun

ai·​lu·​ro·​pho·​bia

variants or aelurophobia

-ˌlu̇r-ə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: abnormal fear of cats