Letter F

Fear of thunder

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An abnormal and persistent fear of thunder that causes undue anxiety even though sufferers realize that thunder itself poses no threat to them.

When outdoors during a thunderstorm, they may suffer excessive anxiety.

When indoors, they may hide under beds or desks, behind sofas, or in closets.

Fear of thunder is termed 'brontophobia,' a word derived from the Greek 'bronte' (thunder) and 'phobos' (fear).

'Brontophobia' has given us the English word 'brontometer,' an instrument for recording the activity of thunderstorms.

A related term: Astraphobia, fear of thunderstorms.

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