agoraphobia

noun ag·o·ra·pho·bia \ˌa-g(ə-)rə-ˈfō-bē-ə\

: a fear of being in open or public places

Full Definition of AGORAPHOBIA

: abnormal fear of being helpless in an embarrassing or unescapable situation that is characterized especially by the avoidance of open or public places

— ag·o·ra·phobe \ˈa-g(ə-)rə-ˌfōb\ noun

— ag·o·ra·pho·bic \-ˈfō-bik\ adjective or noun

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Origin of AGORAPHOBIA

New Latin, from Greek agora + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use: 1873

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Medical Dictionary

agoraphobia

noun ag·o·ra·pho·bia \ˌag(-ə)-rə-ˈfō-bē-ə\

Medical Definition of AGORAPHOBIA

: abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterized initially often by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally by avoidance of open or public places