Hy`dro*pho"bi*a (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ; "y`dwr water + fear: cf. F. hydrophobie.] Med. (a)
An abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of canine madness; hence:
(b)
The disease caused by a bite form, or inoculation with the saliva of, a rabid creature, of which the chief symptoms are, a sense of dryness and construction 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.]
© Webster 1913.