Arachnephobia

/ˌærəkˈnɛfoʊbiə/ noun

Definition

An intense fear of spiders and other arachnids, one of the most common phobias in humans.

Etymology

From Greek 'arachne' (spider) + 'phobos' (fear). Formalized as a psychological term in the late 1800s as psychology classified specific fears.

Kelly Says

Arachnophobia might be one of the few phobias humans share across all cultures—some scientists think it's an evolutionary advantage, as our ancestors needed to fear venomous spiders!

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