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Joy of Vocabulary Chapter 2: Phobia, Mania, and Phile Words PHOBIA (PHOBE, PHOBIC) A phobia is an “abnormal fear, dislike, or hatred.” Acrophobia is an “abnormal fear of being in high places.” Anglophobia is an “abnormal dislike of England or the English.” If you have such a dislike, you are an Anglophobic. Plants that require shade are described as photophobic—literally, “light-­‐
hating.” MANIA (MANIC) A mania, on the other hand, is an “exaggerated enthusiasm, craze, or mad impulse.” The exaggerated adoration of the Beatles, a rock music group extremely popular in the 1960s, was described as Beatlemania. An exaggerated devotion to England or the English is known as Anglomania. If you have such devotion, you are an Anglomaniac. PHILE (PHILIC) Phile is a root meaning “lover or admirer.” An audiophile is “someone who admires, or is enthusiastic about, high-­‐fidelity sound reproduction.” An Anglophile is an “admirer of England or the English.” Plants that thrive in the sun are described as photophilic—literally, “light-­‐loving.” WORD MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE acrophobia n abnormal fear of being in high places Sufferers from acrophobia are not enthusiastic about mountain climbing. agoraphobia n abnormal fear of being in crowds, public places, or open areas One who has agoraphobia tends to feel more at ease indoors. audiophile n one especially interested in high-­‐
fidelity sound reproduction My cousin is a hi-­‐fi audio enthusiast. Are you an audiophile, too? balletomania n extreme enthusiasm for the ballet Enthusiasm for the ballet keeps growing: at times it approaches balletomania. bibliomania n craze for acquiring books, especially Some bidders would have given rare ones anything to acquire the rare book, but I did not share their bibliomania. bibliophile n person who loves or collects books Many a bibliophile enjoys acquiring rare old books. bibliophobe n person with bibliophobia (hatred, fear, or mistrust of books) With teacher help, some former bibliophobes have gotten to like books. claustrophobia n dread of being in closed or narrow spaces Fred’s claustrophobia dates from the time he was trapped in an elevator. dipsomaniac n person with an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic beverages The driver in the fate crash was a dipsomaniac. hemophiliac n person afflicted with hemophilia, a tendency to bleed excessively from minor injuries; bleeder A mere scratch can be a life-­‐
threatening emergency for a hemophiliac. kleptomaniac n one who has a persistent neurotic impulse to steal, though not in need The well-­‐to-­‐do shoplifter may be a kleptomaniac. mania n exaggerated enthusiasm; craze; mad I have a friend with a mania for impulse running who does ten miles a day, rain or shine. megalomania n mental disorder characterized by fantasies of grandeur, power, wealth, etc. In his fantasies, Don Quixote did grandiose deeds, like fighting or rescuing a princess. He was afflicted with megalomania. monomania n derangement of the mind on one subject only Captain Ahab’s monomania for revenge on Moby Dick is proof of his insanity. phobia n abnormal or persistent fear, dislike, or hatred Some grown-­‐ups have yet to overcome their childhood phobia of the dark. photophilic adj light-­‐loving; requiring abundant light Roses are photophilic: they love sunlight. photophobia n painful sensitivity to light Coming out of a movie theater in daylight, many of us experience photophobia until our eyes become accustomed again to the light. photophobic adj shunning light; light-­‐hating Photophobic plants, like pachysandra, grow best in the shade. pyromaniac n person having an insane impulse to start fires Pyromaniacs are a menace because they feel compelled to set fires. xenophobia n unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers Tourists tend to boycott countries where xenophobia is prevalent.