homophobia
Meaning
Dislike of or prejudice against gay people.
Structure
Usage
The company's new policy aims to combat homophobia in the workplace.
His speech was widely condemned for promoting homophobia and intolerance.
Education is a key tool in reducing the homophobia prevalent in some communities.
Etymology
The term is a modern coinage, constructed in the mid-20th century from Greek-derived elements. The first element, "homo-", is an abbreviation of "homosexual", which itself originates from the Greek homos (same) combined with the Latin root for "sex". The second element, "-phobia", directly from Greek phobos (fear, dread), is used metaphorically to denote not just a clinical fear but a strong societal aversion or prejudice. Thus, the literal construction "fear of the same [sex]" evolved logically into the modern abstract meaning denoting discrimination and hostility based on sexual orientation, aligning with the pattern of using "-phobia" to describe social prejudices (e.g., xenophobia).
Analysis
homo: From Greek homos meaning "same". In this compound, it is a clipping of "homosexual". phobia: From Greek phobos meaning "fear, panic, terror". It functions as a suffix forming nouns denoting an extreme or irrational fear or aversion.