Definition of Fear of women

Fear of women: An abnormal, irrational and persistent fear of women. Sufferers experience undue anxiety even though they realize they face no threat.

Fear of women is termed "gynephobia," a word derived from the Greek "gyne" (woman) and "phobos" (fear). Alternate spelling: "gynaephobia." The prefix "gyne-" (or gyn-, gyno-, gynec-, gyneco-, gynaec-, or gynaeco-) enters into a number of biomedical terms such as, for examples, gynecology, gynecomastia (breast development in a male), and a gynecoid pelvis (a pelvis shaped like a woman's).

Terms pertinent to gynecophobia include: androphobia, an abnormal and persistent fear of men; and pedophobia, an abnormal and persistent fear of children and babies.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12313
Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012