An extreme, irrational fear of cats, causing anxiety or panic in people who encounter felines.
From Greek ailouros (cat) combined with phobos (fear). The term emerged in psychology and was formally documented in the 19th century as cat phobia became recognized as a distinct psychological condition.
The word combines ancient Greek for 'cat' with 'fear,' meaning some humans have evolved a visceral terror of the very animals that domesticated themselves alongside us—making aelurophobia humans' ancient ironic fear of their own household gods.
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