Claustrophobic

/ˌklɔːstrəˈfoʊbɪk/ adjective

Definition

Feeling anxious or panicked in enclosed or confined spaces; also describes spaces that feel too cramped.

Etymology

From Latin 'claustrum' (enclosed space, bolt) plus Greek 'phobos' (fear). The word is a hybrid of Latin and Greek roots, quite common in scientific terminology about psychological fears.

Kelly Says

Claustrophobia shows language's brilliant hybrid nature—Latin for 'lock' married to Greek for 'fear' creates a perfectly accurate name for a modern anxiety disorder that probably didn't even exist in ancient times.

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