claustrophobic, a.
(ˌklɔːstrəˈfəʊbɪk)
[f. prec. + -ic.]
a. Prone to or suffering from claustrophobia. Also absol. or as n.
| 1889 in Cent. Dict. 1932 E. Bowen To North xvi. 167 ‘Besides,’ she said, ‘I'm claustrophobic.’ 1953 New Yorker 31 Jan. 61/1 The crowds were so enormous that it was all too easy for the claustrophobic to fall into an apposite mood. 1954 Harper's Aug. 16/3 Everybody felt claustrophobic and uneasy. 1965 D. S. Davis Pale Betrayer (1966) xvi. 127 No windows..a room not intended for claustrophobics. |
b. Of a place, etc.: confined, restricting; inducing claustrophobia. Also transf.
| 1946 ‘J. Tey’ Miss Pym Disposes ii. 11 This is the last term for us Seniors, and everything is very grim and claustrophobic. 1957 R. Hoggart Uses of Literacy viii. 213 It is violent and sexual, but all in a claustrophobic and shut-in way. 1959 G. Mitchell Man who grew Tomatoes xi. 141, I think we might all go into the lounge... It is unpleasantly claustrophobic in here. |
Hence ˌclaustroˈphobically adv., in a claustrophobic manner; so as to induce claustrophobia.
| 1957 R. Hoggart Uses of Literacy vii. 188 The claustrophobically personal manner of some successful men crooners. 1961 John o' London's 28 Sept. 358/2 Suddenly it all becomes unbearably claustrophobically pointless. |