Meanings
alternative basiphobia
- uncountableInability to walk or stand erect, due to emotional causes.
In basophobia the patient by a sort of auto-suggestion persuades himself that it is impossible to stand upon his legs.
1908, A reference handbook of the medical sciences1 more example
Although not diagnosed with basophobia, the clinical term for this fear, Bourgeois made it a major theme in her art. For example, the Personages of 1947-9 are unable to stand on their own […]
2007, Frances Morris, Paulo Herkenhoff, Marie-Laure Bernadac, Louise Bourgeois, page 55 - uncountableFear of falling
Origin
- Ancient Greekβάσις“step”
- Englishbasophobia
From Ancient Greek βάσις (básis, “step”) + -phobia. Alternatively, from baso- + -phobia. By surface analysis, bas- + -o- + -phobe + -ia.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
basophobia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/basophobia
“basophobia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/basophobia. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “basophobia,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/basophobia.
Source: basophobia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.