1. Plural of hydrophobia; intense, irrational fears of water or of coming into contact with water.
Usage: Most commonly used in medical or psychological contexts.; Often associated with rabies, where fear of water is a symptom.
2. Plural of hydrophobia; the property of a substance that repels or does not mix with water; water-repellent quality.
Usage: Technical usage in chemistry and materials science.

Examples

• Some patients with severe hydrophobias cannot even drink water without experiencing panic.
• The hydrophobias observed in rabies patients make treatment and care extremely challenging.
• Modern coatings exploit hydrophobias to create water-resistant surfaces.
• Researchers study the hydrophobias of certain polymers to develop better waterproof materials.
• The clinical presentation of hydrophobias in the patient suggested a possible rabies infection.