hydrophobia

n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;; "y`dwr water + &unr_; 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.] [1913 Webster]