philobat

English

Etymology

Blend of philo- +‎ acrobat. Coined by Hungarian psychoanalyst Michael Balint in 1955.

Noun

philobat (plural philobats)

1. (psychoanalysis) Someone who enjoys handling challenging and dangerous situations on their own.

   Coordinate term: ocnophil

   • 2008, Isabel Fonseca, Attachment, London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, pages 182–183:

     Or maybe this was her true personality coming through, the way alcoholism showed in some people around thirty-five. Jean the philobat, on the pattern of acrobat, the type that prefers to cope alone with difficult, uncertain situations. Though of course she hadn't been alone.

Derived terms

• philobatic