- An abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of
canine madness; hence: - 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.
Hydrophobia Hydrophobia is the medical term for a symptom in man of the disease rabies meaning literally 'fear of water'. The fear in this case is not psychologically abnormal but a symptom of the disease.
Definition
[ n.]