ailurophobia
noun
ai·lu·ro·pho·bia
ī-ˌlu̇r-ə-ˈfō-bē-ə
ā-
variants
or less commonly aelurophobia
: 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
noun
or less commonly aelurophobe
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
adjective
or less commonly aelurophobic
… 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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