Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Hydrophobia
Hyˊdro-pho′bi-a
,Noun.
[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK];
ὕδωρ
water + [GREEK] fear: cf. F. hydrophobie
.] (Med.)
(a)
An abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of canine madness; hence:
(b)
A viral disease trransmitted by a bite from, or inoculation with the saliva of, a rabid creature, of which the chief symptoms are, a sense of dryness and constriction 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.
[Written also
hydrophoby
.]