Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “climacophobia” come from?

climacophobia (English) comes from Ancient Greek κλῖμαξ, from Ancient Greek κλίνω, from Proto-Indo-European ḱley-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- — to cover; to incline.

climacophobia (English): The fear of staircases or of falling down stairs

Definitions

  1. The fear of staircases or of falling down stairs

Ancestry of “climacophobia”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekκλῖμαξladder; staircase; torture instrument shaped like...
2Ancient Greekκλίνωto bend, slant; to cause to give way, cause to...
3Proto-Indo-Europeanḱley-to shelter, cover; to lean, slope, incline
4Proto-Indo-Europeanḱel-to cover; to incline
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- →